leukemia

American  

[loo-kee-mee-uh] / luˈki mi ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. any of several cancers of the bone marrow that prevent the normal manufacture of red and white blood cells and platelets, resulting in anemia, increased susceptibility to infection, and impaired blood clotting.

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leukemia Scientific  

/ lo̅o̅-kē′mē-ə /

1. Any of various acute or chronic neoplastic diseases of the bone marrow in which unrestrained proliferation of white blood cells occurs, usually accompanied by anemia, impaired blood clotting, and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Certain viruses, genetic defects, chemicals, and ionizing radiation, are associated with an increased risk of leukemia, which is classified according to the cellular maturity of the involved white blood cells.

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leukemia Cultural  

1. A kind of cancer in which the number of white blood cells in the blood greatly increases. Leukemia usually spreads to the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and other areas of the body, causing destruction of tissues and often resulting in death.

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Other Word Forms

• antileukemic
  adjective
• leukemic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of leukemia

First recorded in 1850–55; earlier leuchaemia, from German Leukämie; equivalent to leuko- + -emia

Explanation

Leukemia is a type of cancer that forms in the blood cells. Leukemia makes it very difficult for the body to fight off infection. Because it dramatically increases the number of white blood cells in a person's body, leukemia decreases red blood cells and platelets, both of which are necessary for keeping us healthy. Additionally, the white blood cells caused by leukemia can't fight infection the way they normally do. The word leukemia comes from the Greek words leukos, "white," and haima, "blood."

Example Sentences

Leukemia patients experience bankruptcy at three times the rate of the general population.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

She describes her previously healthy lifestyle, which included running, skiing and even once swimming in New York's Hudson River, "eerily, to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society".

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

More capital is needed to fund startups advancing promising research in autoimmune diseases, said Louis DeGennaro, former president and CEO of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and now a senior adviser to Vie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2025

While an exact diagnosis of their illness was not immediately clear, the pop star tagged both the Lupus Research Alliance and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their post.

From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2024

It is a common consequence, written about in the medical literature under such titles as “Cognitive Effects of Childhood Leukemia Therapy” and “Disruption of Learning Processes by Chemotherapeutic Agents.”

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove