Blood, Marrow, And an Introduction to Leukaemia

1
What is Blood? Blood is a mixture of plasma and
cells. Plasma is largely composed of water with
dissolved proteins (albumin), hormones, minerals
(iron), vitamins and antibodies. Cells include
red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelets. White blood cells are neutrophils,
monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and
lymphocytes. Red cells are the oxygen carrying
cells in the body making up half the volume of
blood. Platelets stop bleeding from an injured
site by clumping together and forming a clot at
the injured site. They are one tenth the size of
red blood cells. Neutrophils and monocytes are
phagocytes (eating cells) which leave the blood
stream to the tissues to ingest bacteria or
fungi and cure an infection. Eosinophils and
basophils are involved in allergic responses.
Lymphocytes are mostly in the lymph nodes, spleen
and lymphatic channels but also in the
blood. Lymphocytes are T-cells, B-cells and NK
cells. What is Bone Marrow? Its a spongy tissue
where blood is formed. It occupies the central
cavity of bones. The bones of hand, feet, arms
and legs is no longer functional by young
adulthood. In adults, bone marrow of the
vertebrae, hipbones, shoulder bones, ribs,
breast bones and skull is actively making blood
cells and the passing blood picks up the formed
blood cells for circulation. What is
Leukaemia? Comes from the Greek word leukos
meaning white and haima meaning blood.
There are 4 types of leukaemia, myelogenous and
lymphocytic, each having an acute and chronic
form.
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Acute leukaemia affects the primitive cells which
are not yet fully developed or differentiated.
Hence acute leukaemia are rapidly progressive
diseases. Chronic leukaemia on the contrary
permit the growth of more developed cells and
hence progress slowly. A fast proliferation of
abnormal cells (blasts) displacing the other
normal cells in the bone marrow is what happens
in leukaemia. This leads to suppression of Red
blood cells and platelets and normal white blood
cells. Hence the child has a deficiency of red
blood cells (anaemia), platelets
(thrombocytopenia), and normal white blood cells
(neutropenia). Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is
more common in children than Acute myeloid
leukaemia. B Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia has a
better prognosis than T-cell Acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia. 15 childhood leukaemia are Acute
myeloid leukaemia and are treated differently
from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The next part
of this article will include details of
individual leukaemia. --- Surya group of
hospitals are a pioneer in modern healthcare
services for women and children since 1985. We
offer cutting-edge facilities along with a staff
thats highly acclaimed in their field. To book
an appointment with Dr. Priti Mehta and know
more about leukaemia, call our helpline on
022-61538989.
Priti S Mehta Dr. Priti S. Mehta is a Paediatric
Haematologist-Oncologist at Surya Hospitals. She
holds a MD in paediatrics and a 2-year Diplomate
National Board fellowship from B.J. Wadia
Hospital for Children. Her expertise resides in
paediatric benign and malignant haematology and
oncology cases.