Leukemia develops when the DNA of developing blood cells, mainly white cells, incurs damage. This causes the blood cells to grow and divide uncontrollably.Healthy blood cells die, and new cells replace them. These develop in the bone marrow.The abnormal blood cells do not die at a natural point in their life cycle. Instead, they build up and occupy more space.As the bone marrow produces more cancer cells, they begin to overcrowd the blood, preventing the healthy white blood cells from growing and functioning normally.Eventually, the cancerous cells outnumber healthy cells in the blood.
Differences between healthy bone marrow with leukemia |
Differences between normal blood and leukemia |