In which condition do leukemic cells inhibit the production of normal blood cells?

In which condition do leukemic cells inhibit the production of normal blood cells?

• A. Thalassemia
• B. Hemophilia
• C. Leukemia
• D. Sickle cell disease

Answer: (C)

Leukemia is a type of cancer that primarily affects the blood and bone marrow. In this condition, abnormal and immature white blood cells proliferate uncontrollably, leading to several critical issues. One of the hallmark features of leukemia is the inhibition of normal hematopoiesis, which is the process of producing blood cells in the bone marrow. As leukemic cells accumulate, they crowd out the normal stem cells and precursor cells responsible for generating red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This results in a decreased production of these essential blood components, leading to anemia, increased susceptibility to infections, and a heightened risk of bleeding due to low platelet counts. In contrast, conditions such as thalassemia, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease involve specific abnormalities in blood cell function or structure but do not primarily involve the overproduction of leukemic cells that inhibit normal blood cell production. Therefore, leukemia is distinctly characterized by this inhibition caused by the presence of malignant leukemic cells.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that primarily affects the blood and bone marrow. In this condition, abnormal and immature white blood cells proliferate uncontrollably, leading to several critical issues. One of the hallmark features of leukemia is the inhibition of normal hematopoiesis, which is the process of producing blood cells in the bone marrow.

As leukemic cells accumulate, they crowd out the normal stem cells and precursor cells responsible for generating red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This results in a decreased production of these essential blood components, leading to anemia, increased susceptibility to infections, and a heightened risk of bleeding due to low platelet counts.

In contrast, conditions such as thalassemia, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease involve specific abnormalities in blood cell function or structure but do not primarily involve the overproduction of leukemic cells that inhibit normal blood cell production. Therefore, leukemia is distinctly characterized by this inhibition caused by the presence of malignant leukemic cells.