Since the space is limited in the marrow, the normal cells are crowded out by these clones. All the normal blood forming elements are eventually affected if the leukemia goes unchecked. The lower number of normal white blood cells makes leukemic patients more vulnerable to infection. The depletion of normal platelets interferes with the patients clotting ability and makes the patient more susceptible to abnormal bleeding and bruising. Anemia is caused by the decreased production of normal red blood cells.
Leukemic cells are actually abnormal white blood cells.
As these cells proliferate they increase the concentration of white blood cells in the blood stream. The term leukemia actually has a latin derivation. Leuko means white and heme is blood. Therefore the word leukemia literally means white blood. Other features include enlarged spleen, liver and lymph nodes.