Leukemia is a malignancy in the hematopoietic stem cells that produce various cells in the blood, producing cells that do not function properly and that reach various parts of the body through the blood.
Abnormal hematopoietic stem cells lead to abnormalities in the various cells that proliferate, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Although patients with leukemia are able to produce red blood cells, the structure and function of these red blood cells produced are abnormal and are recognized and removed by immune organs such as the spleen, resulting in anemia and enlarged spleens and lymph nodes. The abnormal function of red blood cells prevents them from carrying oxygen to the tissues, causing weakness, pallor, palpitations and shortness of breath. Similarly, platelet abnormalities can occur in patients with leukemia. Platelets play an important role in hemostasis. When platelets are abnormal, the hemostatic function is abnormal and can lead to bleeding. Patients present with bleeding spots at the skin or with nosebleeds. White blood cells are the body’s immune cells, and in leukemia, they are also abnormal, leading to a decrease in the body’s resistance.
In addition, abnormal blood cells can reach all parts of the body through the bloodstream and cause a variety of symptoms.