leukemia
UK: luːˈkiːmiə | US: luːˈkiːmiə
n. A malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal white blood cells, suppressing normal blood cell production.
leukemia = leuk<white> + emia<blood condition>
- leuk (from Greek leukos "white")
- emia (from Greek haima "blood" + -ia "condition")
Etymology Origin:
The term leukemia originates from 19th-century medical Latin, combining Greek roots to describe the abnormal proliferation of white blood cells (leuk-) in the bloodstream (-emia). The word reflects the pale appearance of blood or pus in affected patients, linking the visual symptom (white) to the pathological state (blood disorder).
The child was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Advances in chemotherapy have improved survival rates for leukemia patients.
Researchers are studying genetic factors that may predispose individuals to leukemia.
A bone marrow transplant can sometimes cure certain types of leukemia.
Early detection of leukemia significantly enhances treatment outcomes.