Many specific conditions come under the term cancer.
Leukaemia is the condition in which the bone marrow is taken over by an excess number of immature white cells, which are unable to perform the normal function of white cells in protecting the body from infection. As a result of the proliferation of these primitive cells within the marrow, there is suppression of the production of normal blood cells, resulting in anaemia, susceptibility to infection and bleeding problems, the hallmarks of leukaemia. Both conditions are potentially life threatening. The prognosis has been greatly altered in recent years due to treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In general, none.