Glossary for Bone Marrow Conditions

• ALL-Down syndrome: The presence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Down syndrome patients. These patients tend to have a poorer prognosis for the leukemia than patients without Down syndrome.
• Acquired Aplastic Anemia: A rare disorder involving severe failure of the bone marrow to produce new blood cells. Acquired aplastic anemia means that the condition was not present at birth but developed during the persons lifetime. The condition may be caused by such things as autoimmune reactions, radiation and certain drugs, chemicals or viral infections.
• Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia: A rare blood disorder characterized by a deficiency of blood platelets required for normal blood clotting. Autoimmune processes can be a cause of the acquired form of this condition.
• Acute adult T-Cell leukemia: A form of blood cancer affecting the T-cells which make up the body's immune system. The disease is caused by the HTLV-1 virus (human T-cell leukemia virus) which causes the proliferation of abnormal T-cells. The virus can be transmitted sexually and may lay dormant for decades. There are four subtypes: acute, chronic, lymphoma and smoldering. The acute and lymphoma subtypes have the poorest prognosis. The acute subtype tends to progress rapidly and is the most prevalent form of the condition.
• Acute basophilic leukaemia: A rare type of acute myeloid leukemia characterized by the presence of abnormal basophils.
• Acute biphenotypic leukemia: A rare form of leukemia that has myeloid and lymphoid features.
• Acute cholinergic dysautonomia: A rare condition characterized by the presence of abnormal red blood cells in the bone marrow and blood. The condition is characterized by anemia and generally leads to the development of acute myelogenous leukemia. The acute form has more severe symptoms than the chronic form.
• Acute erythroleukemia: A rare condition characterized by the presence of abnormal blood cells (erythroblastic precursors) in the bone marrow and blood. The condition is characterized by anemia and generally leads to the development of acute myelogenous leukemia. The acute form has more severe symptoms than the chronic form.
• Acute leukaemia of ambiguous lineage: A term used to describe a type of leukemia (a blood cancer) where the leukemic cells cannot be determined as myeloid or lymphoid or where both types of cells are present.
• Acute leukemia: An acute condition which affects a cell line of the blood which shows little or no differentiation
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Cancer of the white blood cells. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets.
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia congenital sporadic aniridia: The rare association with a form of acute leukemia and congenital aniridia observed in a patient.
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Susceptibility to: Cancer of the white blood cells characterized by the presence of excessive lymphoblasts. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets. There are two subtypes of leukemia linked to a genetic anomaly which increases a person's susceptibility to developing the cancer. Type 1 is linked to a defect on chromosome 10q21 and type 2 is linked to a defect on chromosome 7p12.2.
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Susceptibility to, 1: Cancer of the white blood cells characterized by the presence of excessive lymphoblasts. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets. There are two subtypes of leukemia linked to a genetic anomaly which increases a person's susceptibility to developing the cancer. Type 1 is linked to a defect on chromosome 10q21.
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Susceptibility to, 2: Cancer of the white blood cells characterized by the presence of excessive lymphoblasts. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets. There are two subtypes of leukemia linked to a genetic anomaly which increases a person's susceptibility to developing the cancer. Type 2 is linked to a defect on chromosome 7p12.2.
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, adult: Cancer of the white blood cells. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets.
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia: Most common child form of leukemia; can also affect adults especially over 65.
• Acute megacaryoblastic leukemia: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer involving the proliferation of immature precursors of blood cells. More specifically, it involves the rapid proliferation of megakaryoblasts (premature form of megakaryocytes).
• Acute myeloblastic leukemia type 1: A form of blood cancer resulting in the rapid proliferation of immature blood cells (blast cells).
• Acute myeloblastic leukemia type 2: A form of blood cancer resulting in the rapid proliferation of granulocytes and monocytes.
• Acute myeloblastic leukemia type 3: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer involving the rapid proliferation of immature precursors of blood cells. Type 3 involves the proliferation of promyelocytes.
• Acute myeloblastic leukemia type 4: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer involving the rapid proliferation of immature precursors of blood cells. Type 4 involves the rapid proliferation of myelocytes and monocytes.
• Acute myeloblastic leukemia type 5: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer involving the proliferation of immature precursors of blood cells. Type 5 involves the rapid proliferation of monoblasts (immature precursors of monocytes) in particular.
• Acute myeloblastic leukemia type 6: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer involving the rapid proliferation of immature precursors of blood cells. Type 6 involves the proliferation of the immature precursors of red blood cells called erythroblasts.
• Acute myeloblastic leukemia type 7: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer involving the proliferation of immature precursors of blood cells. Type 7 involves the rapid proliferation of megakaryoblasts (premature form of megakaryocytes) in particular.
• Acute myelocytic leukemia: A cancer of the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow involving the proliferation of cells that normally develop into infection-fighting cells such as eosinophils, monocytes, basophils and neutrophils. The cancerous cells replace the normal bone marrow cells. Acute leukemia involves a more rapid proliferation of cancer cells compared to chronic forms of leukemia.
• Acute myelofibrosis: A rare condition where progressive scarring or fibrosis of the bone marrow impairs it's ability to make blood cells causing symptoms such as anemia and liver and spleen enlargement.
• Acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes related to alkylating agent: The use of alkylating agents to treat cancer can result in leukemia in some patients.
• Acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes related to topoisomerase type II inhibitor: The use of topoisomerase type II inhibitors to treat cancer can result in leukemia in some patients.
• Acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, therapy related: Certain cancer therapies can result in the development of leukemia in some patients. These therapies includes topoisomerase type II inhibitors and alkylating agents.
• Acute myeloid leukemia: A form of rapidly progressing blood cancer resulting in the rapid proliferation of granulocytes and monocytes, red blood cells and platelets.
• Acute myeloid leukemia, adult: A form of blood cancer resulting in the rapid proliferation of granulocytes and monocytes, red blood cells and platelets.
• Acute myelosclerosis: A rare disorder where the bone marrow makes too many blood cells. The disease progresses rapidly with death usually occurring within 6 months of onset.
• Acute non lymphoblastic leukemia: A form of rapidly progressing blood cancer resulting in the rapid proliferation of granulocytes and monocytes, red blood cells and platelets. It is one of the most common forms of leukemia in adults but can occur in children.
• Acute panmyelosis: A rare condition where progressive scarring or fibrosis of the bone marrow impairs it's ability to make blood cells causing symptoms such as anemia and liver and spleen enlargement. The disease often progresses rapidly and results in death.
• Acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis: A poorly defined condition which is more a description of a particular state rather than a distinct disorder. The condition involves the presence of panmyelosis and myelofibrosis. Bone marrow exposure to toxic substances is one cause of the condition.
• Acute promyelocytic leukemia: A rare bone marrow cancer characterized by a lack of mature blood cells and excessive amounts of immature blood cells (promyelocytes).
• Adult T-Cell leukemia: A form of blood cancer affecting the T-cells which make up the body's immune system. The disease is caused by the HTLV-1 virus (human T-cell leukemia virus) which causes the proliferation of abnormal T-cells. The virus can be transmitted sexually and may lay dormant for decades. There are four subtypes: acute, chronic, lymphoma and smoldering. The acute and lymphoma subtypes have the poorest prognosis.
• Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: Rare cancer of the immune system T-cells.
• Aggressive NK-cell leukaemia: An aggressive form of blood cancer involving the rapid proliferation of natural killer (NK) cells.
• Aleukemic leukemia cutis: A rare form of leukemia where the skin is involved before the leukemic cells appear in the blood. It is usually an early sign of leukemia.
• Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia: A blood disorder involving a deficiency of blood platelets required for normal blood clotting. The disorder may be present at birth (congenital) or acquired (e.g. autoimmune disorders).
• Amyloidosis AL: A disease involving the abnormal deposit of amyloid fibrils in virtually any part of the body - the heart, liver, kidney and peripheral and autonomic nerves are most commonly affected. The abnormal amyloid fibrils are produced abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. In some cases, the excess growth of abnormal plasma cells can result in a cancerous condition called myeloma resulting in bone pain and infections. A patient with myeloma may develop amyloidosis but it is rare for a patient with AL amyloidosis to go on to develop myeloma.
• Anemia, Blackfan Diamond: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. The severity of symptoms is variable but most cases are serious.
• Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts: A bone marrow disease which results in insufficient red blood cells in the blood (anemia). The prognosis is poor with death usually occurring within a couple of years. There are two types: type 1 refers to cases where the level of blasts is less than 10% and type 2 refers to cases where the level of blasts is 10-20%. When too many immature blood cells (blasts) are produced by the bone marrow, the condition may progress to acute myeloid leukemia - occurs in about a quarter of cases in type 1 and a third of cases in type 2.
• Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts, type 1: A bone marrow disease which results in insufficient red blood cells in the blood (anemia). The prognosis is poor with death usually occurring within a couple of years. Type 1 refers to cases where the level of blasts is less than 10% and type 2 refers to cases where the level of blasts is 10-20%. When too many immature blood cells (blasts) are produced by the bone marrow, the condition may progress to acute myeloid leukemia - occurs in about a quarter of cases in type 1.
• Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts, type 2: A bone marrow disease which results in insufficient red blood cells in the blood (anemia). The prognosis is poor with death usually occurring within a couple of years. Type 1 refers to cases where the level of blasts is less than 10% and type 2 refers to cases where the level of blasts is 10-20%. When too many immature blood cells (blasts) are produced by the bone marrow, the condition may progress to acute myeloid leukemia - occurs in about a third of cases in type 2.
• Aplastic anemia: A blood disorder where the bone marrow produces insufficient new blood cells.
• Aplastic anemia -- paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria syndrome: The association of hemoglobin in the urine with aplastic anemia. The hemoglobin in the urine manifests as dark urine in the morning. This is usually only observed in the morning as the urine is concentrated while sleeping which makes the presence of the hemoglobin more pronounced. Usually the condition leads to acute leukemia.
• Autoimmune Myelopathy: A disturbance functionally or pathological change in the spinal cord
• B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A slow progressing disease involving cancerous B-cell lymphocytes which take over the healthy cells in the lymph nodes. B-cells help the body to fight infections so when the disease becomes more advanced, the body is less able to fight infection as there are fewer healthy, functioning B-cells.
• B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia: A rare type of leukemia involving a proliferation of immature white blood cells (prolymphocytes - B-cells).
• Blast crisis: The final phase of chronic myeloid leukemia which has a high mortality rate. Myeloid leukemia is a form of cancer where the bone marrow makes too many myeloid cells (granulocytes and their precursors) in the bone marrow which accumulates in the blood and eventually invades various parts of the body. The three phases of the condition are the chronic phase, aggressive phase and finally the blast crisis. A blast crisis is occurs when over 30% of the cells in the blood or bone marrow are immature blood cells (blast cells). Patients in the final stage of leukemia are more prone to relapses following treatment.
• Blood cancer: Malignancy of one or several of the different types of cells in the blood
• Bone conditions: Conditions that affect the bones
• Bone marrow failure -- neurologic abnormalities: A rare syndrome characterized by the association of bone marrow failure and neurological abnormalities.
• Bone-Marrow failure syndromes: A disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells.
• Chloromyeloma: A rare type of tumor that develops from myeloid cells (type of immature white blood cell) and tends to usually have a greenish color. The tumor is essentially a localized solid collection of leukemic cells that occurs outside the bone marrow. It can occur in many parts of the body such as the chest, vertebrae, pelvis, skin, lymph nodes and parts of the skull. On rare occasions, it can occur in various organs such as the heart and brain. The tumor can occur as a primary condition or may be associated with cancerous conditions such as acute leukemia and acute promyelocytic leukemia. Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the tumor.
• Chronic Idiopathic Myelofibrosis: The bone marrow is consists of tissues which make blood cells and fibrous tissue supports these tissues that make the blood cells. In chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, abnormal cells and fibres build up inside the bone marrow resulting in the production of fewer normal blood cells.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Susceptibility to: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced which eventually crowds out healthy blood cells in the body. Researchers have discovered a link between a number of genetic defects and increased susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Susceptibility to, 1: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced which eventually crowds out healthy blood cells in the body. Researchers have discovered a link between a number of genetic defects and increased susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Type 1 is linked to a defect on chromosome 11q13.3
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Susceptibility to, 2: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced which eventually crowds out healthy blood cells in the body. Researchers have discovered a link between a number of genetic defects and increased susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Type 2 is linked to a defect on chromosome 13q14.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Susceptibility to, 3: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced which eventually crowds out healthy blood cells in the body. Researchers have discovered a link between a number of genetic defects and increased susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Type 3 is linked to a defect on chromosome 9q34.1.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Susceptibility to, 4: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced which eventually crowds out healthy blood cells in the body. Researchers have discovered a link between a number of genetic defects and increased susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Type 4 is linked to a defect on chromosome 6p25.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Susceptibility to, 5: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced which eventually crowds out healthy blood cells in the body. Researchers have discovered a link between a number of genetic defects and increased susceptibility to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Type 5 is linked to a defect on chromosome 11q24.1.
• Chronic Myeloproliferative Disease, Unclassified: A form of blood disorder characterized by the abnormal proliferation of myeloid precursors in the bone marrow. This category refers to cases of myeloproliferative disease which don't fit into any of the other specific type of myelproliferative diseases.
• Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders: A group of blood cancers where excessive numbers of blood cells are made by overactive or cancerous bone marrow. The number of excess blood cells tends to grow slowly. Examples of such disorders includes chronic myelogenous leukemia, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. The symptoms are determined by which particular blood cancer is involved.
• Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia: A rare form of leukemia characterized by excessive levels of mature neutrophils.
• Chronic adult T-Cell leukemia: A form of blood cancer affecting the T-cells which make up the body's immune system. The disease is caused by the HTLV-1 virus (human T-cell leukemia virus) which causes the proliferation of abnormal T-cells. The virus can be transmitted sexually and may lay dormant for decades. There are four subtypes: acute, chronic, lymphoma and smoldering. The acute and lymphoma subtypes have the poorest prognosis. The acute form tends to progress relatively slowly and generally responds better to treatment than the other subtypes.
• Chronic leukemia: Leukemia in which the cell line is well differentiated, usually B lymphocytes.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) are produced which eventually crowds out healthy blood cells in the body.
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia: A slow-growing cancer of the white blood cells where the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells which eventually invade various parts of the body.
• Chronic myeloid leukemia: Type of leukemia mostly in adults; rarely in children.
• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer involving the proliferation of immature precursors of certain blood cells - myelocytes and monocytes. The proliferation is slower than in acute forms of the disease.
• Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: A rare chronic inflammatory bone disease that occurs in children. The symptoms go into periods of remission only to return. The most common sites for the inflammation are the shinbone, thighbone and collarbone with usually several sites being affected at once.
• Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia: A rare birth disorder involving a deficiency of blood platelets required for normal blood clotting.
• Congenital aplastic anemia: A genetic disorder where the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells. Fanconi's anemia is an example of congenital aplastic anemia.
• Cooley syndrome: An inherited blood disorder involving abnormal production of red blood cells which causes serious anemia. It is a severe form of thalassemia.
• Cutler Syndrome: A rare disorder characterized by multisystem disorders including muscle wasting, ataxia, epilepsy, anemia and kidney disease. The kidney disease is most likely present at birth.
• Deafness -- lymphoedema -- leukemia: A rare syndrome characterized by deafness, early-onset leukemia and lymphoedema in the lower legs.
• Deal-Barratt-Dillon syndrome: A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by scaly skin, jaundice, diarrhea and Fanconi syndrome (bone marrow fails to make sufficient new blood cells).
• Di Guglielmo I -- acute: A rare condition characterized by the presence of abnormal red blood cells in the bone marrow and blood. The condition is characterized by anemia and generally leads to the development of acute myelogenous leukemia. The acute form has more severe symptoms than the chronic form.
• Di Guglielmo I -- chronic: A rare condition characterized by the presence of abnormal red blood cells in the bone marrow and blood. The condition is characterized by anemia and generally leads to the development of acute myelogenous leukemia. The chronic form has more severe symptoms than the acute form.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. The severity of symptoms is variable but most cases are serious.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 1: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 1 is caused by a defect on the RPS19 gene located on chromosome 18q13.2.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 2: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 2 is caused by a defect on chromosome 19q13.2.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 3: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 3 is caused by a defect on the RPS24 gene located on chromosome 10q22-q23.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 4: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 4 is caused by a defect on the RPS17 gene located on chromosome 15q.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 5: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 5 is caused by a defect on the RPL35A gene located on chromosome 3q29-qter.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 6: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 6 is caused by a defect on the RPL5 gene located on chromosome 1p22.1.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 7: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 7 is caused by a defect on the RPL11 gene located on chromosome 1p36.1-p35.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia 8: Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow is unable to make sufficient red blood cells which leads low levels of red blood cells. There are eight subtypes of the condition which differ in the location of the genetic defect and the incidence of additional symptoms such as malformations. Type 8 is caused by a defect on the RPS7 gene on chromosome 2p25.
• Erdheim-Chester Disease: A condition which is defined as a non langerhans cell histiocytosis
• Erdheim-Chester syndrome: A very rare lipid storage disorder involving lipid deposits in various organs and hardening of the ends of long bones which affects the growth of the bone. The severity of the condition is variable.
• Erythropoietic Protoporphyria: A condition where there is excessive formation of porphyrin or its precursor
• Essential thrombocytopenia: A rare blood disorder characterized by an excessively low number of platelets in the blood which often results in hemorrhages.
• Essential thrombocytosis -- same as essential thrombocythemia: A rare blood disorder where the blood contains too many platelets due to excessive megakaryocytes (platelet-producing cells). Platelets are essential for blood clotting but in essential thrombocythemia excessive platelets can cause the blood to form abnormal clots. If the platelets are defective as well then bleeding problems can occur. The severity of the condition is variable.
• Extramedullary Myeloid Tumor: A rare type of tumor that develops from myeloid cells (type of immature white blood cell) and tends to usually have a greenish color. The tumor is essentially a localized solid collection of leukemic cells that occurs outside the bone marrow. It can occur in many parts of the body such as the chest, vertebrae, pelvis, skin, lymph nodes and parts of the skull. On rare occasions, it can occur in various organs such as the heart and brain. The tumor can occur as a primary condition or may be associated with cancerous conditions such as acute leukemia and acute promyelocytic leukemia. Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the tumor.
• Familial myelofibrosis: A rare condition where progressive scarring or fibrosis of the bone marrow impairs it's ability to make blood cells causing symptoms such as anemia and liver and spleen enlargement.
• Familial platelet syndrome with predisposition to acute myelogenous leukemia: A rare inherited blood disorder that is associated with an increased risk of myeloid malignancies - especially acute myelogenous leukemia.
• Fanconi anemia type C: A rare inherited blood disorder characterized by a lack of blood cells (red and white blood cells and blood platelets).
• Fanconi pancytopenia: A rare genetic disorder characterized by upper limb defects and kidney abnormalities.
• Fanconi's anemia: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group A: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group A refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group B: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group B refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group C: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group C refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group D1: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group D1 refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group D2: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group D2 refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group F: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group F refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group G: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group G refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group I: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group I refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group J: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group J refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group L: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group L refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group M: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group M refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Complementation group N: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The subtype called Complementation group N refers to a genetic subtype of the disease. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition and various skeletal abnormalities and other birth defects may also be present. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's anemia -- Estren-Dameshek variant: Fanconi's anemia is a rare inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. The Estren-Dameshek variant is Fanconi's anemia without the presence of any physical malformations or deformities which are often associated with Fanconi's anemia. An increased incidence of leukemias and other cancers is associated with this condition. The condition is present at birth but symptoms of the blood problems are often not evident until later in childhood - in rare cases, the condition may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
• Fanconi's syndrome: A rare condition where malfunction of the proximal tubes of the kidney causes the kidneys to excrete substances like glucose, amino acids and phosphate into the urine instead of allowing it to be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. Fanconi's syndrome may be hereditary or can be caused by conditions such as Vitamin D deficiency and amyloidosis.
• Fever: Elevation of the body temperature above the normal 37 degrees celsius
• Gaucher Disease: A rare inherited biochemical disorder characterized by the deficiency of the enzyme called glucocerebrosidase and accumulation of glycosylceramide (glucocerebroside). There are three forms of this disease: type 1, 2 and 3.
• Ghosal syndrome: A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by difficult to treat anemia and skeletal abnormalities.
• Hairy cell leukemia: A chronic leukemia which causes an excess of abnormal mononuclear cells which appear hair like under microscopy
• Hand-Schuller-Christian Syndrome: A group of blood disorder involving excess production of histiocytes (type of immune cell) throughout the body. Accumulation of histiocytes results in non-cancerous growths which can damage organs and other body tissues such as bones. Symptom vary hugely and depend on location and size of tumor growths.
• Hemoglobin SC: A genetic blood disorder where the patient inherits a gene for hemoglobin S from one parent and hemoglobin C from another. Severity of symptoms is variable.
• Hemorrhagic thrombocythemia: A rare blood disorder characterized by increased number of platelets in the blood which often results in an enlarged spleen, bleeding and blood vessel blockages.
• Hereditary thrombocythemia: An inherited disorder characterized by thrombocytosis which is a high blood platelet count that occurs for no apparent reason. It is usually only discovered incidentally during routine blood tests.
• Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell: A group of disorders involving the excessive proliferation of histiocytes (macrophages) which are not Langerhans cells. Subgroups of this disorder includes hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, sinus histiocytosis, xanthogranuloma and sea-blue histiocyte syndrome. Sometimes only the skin is involved and in other cases there may be systemic involvement which can cause serious problems.
• Hodgkin's disease, adult: A type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system in adults. The lymphatic system forms part of the body's immune system. This type of cancer can also occur in children.
• Hodgkin's disease, childhood: A type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system in children. The lymphatic system forms part of the body's immune system. This type of cancer can also occur in children.
• Human T Cell Leukemia Virus 1: A type of retrovirus that can infect a type of white blood cell called T cells and result in leukemia. The infection can be spread by sexual contact, breast feeding, transfusions and sharing syringes.
• Human T-cell leukemia viruses type 2: A type of retrovirus that can infect a type of white blood cell called T cells and result in leukemia. The infection can be spread by sexual contact, breast feeding, transfusions and sharing syringes.
• Immunoglobulinic amyloidosis: A disease characterized by the abnormal deposit of amyloid in various parts of the body, especially organs such as the kidneys, heart, liver, gastrointestinal tract and peripheral nerves. It occurs when plasma cells in the bone marrow produce too much of a protein portion of an antibody called the light chain. The exact symptoms are determined by the extent of the organ involvement.
• Infection: Infections as a symptom.
• Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia: A rare form of malignant bone marrow cancer that occurs in children and involves the proliferation of immature precursors of certain blood cells - myelocytes and monocytes. The proliferation is slower than in acute forms of the disease.
• Kostmann syndrome: A rare, inherited bone marrow disorder characterized by a severe deficiency of neutrophils which are essential for fighting infections.
• Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A condition which is characterized by proliferation of Langerhans cells
• Large granular lymphocyte leukemia: A form of leukemia characterized by an increased number of circulating granular lymphocytes.
• Letterer-Siwe disease: A rare usually fatal condition characterized by skin lesions, bleeding tendency, enlarged liver and spleen, enlarged lymph nodes and progressive anemia. The condition is caused by excessive proliferation of histiocytes.
• Leukemia: Cancer of the blood cells, usually white blood cells.
• Leukemia subleukemic: A classification of leukemia where the white blood count is normal (less than 15,000) but there are abnormal white blood cells present in the peripheral blood.
• Leukemia, B-cell, chronic: A slow growing cancer of the immune system involving proliferation of B-cells.
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L1: Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets. There are three main subtypes (L1, L2 and L3) which are differentiated by the appearance of the cancerous cells: L1 is characterized by small, uniform cancer cells with a round nucleus and very little cytoplasm. L1 has a better prognosis than L2. L1 is the main form in children (about 85%) but is less common in adults (about 30%).
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L2: Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets. There are three main subtypes (L1, L2 and L3) which are differentiated by the appearance of the cancerous cells: L2 is characterized by larger cells, an irregular-shaped nucleus, more cytoplasm and significant variation between cells. L2 has a poorer prognosis than L1. L2 is the main form in adults (about 65%) but is less common in children (about 15%).
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L3: Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a relatively aggressive cancer of the white blood cells. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets. There are three main subtypes (L1, L2 and L3) which are differentiated by the appearance of the cancerous cells. L3 is quite uncommon but is very similar to Burkitt's lymphoma - in fact, they may be considered the same disease with different manifestations.
• Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute: A cancer of the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow involving the proliferation of a type of infection-fighting white blood cell called a monocyte. Acute leukemia involves a more rapid proliferation of cancer cells compared to chronic forms of leukemia.
• Leukemia, Myeloid: A form of blood cancer that causes a proliferation of the precursors or immature red blood cells, platelets and certain white blood cells such as granulocytes and monocytes.
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Aggressive-Phase: Myeloid leukemia is a form of cancer where the bone marrow makes too many myeloid cells (granulocytes and their precursors) in the bone marrow which accumulates in the blood and eventually invades various parts of the body. The aggressive phase of myeloid leukemia follows the chronic form and is a sign that the condition is progressing more rapidly to a blast crisis which is the final stage of leukemia.
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic: A slow-growing cancer where the bone marrow makes too many myeloid cells (granulocytes and their precursors) in the bone marrow which accumulates in the blood and eventually invades various parts of the body.
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase: Myeloid leukemia is a form of cancer where the bone marrow makes too many myeloid cells (granulocytes and their precursors) in the bone marrow which accumulates in the blood and eventually invades various parts of the body. The chronic phase of myeloid leukemia usually involves few if any symptoms. This is the early stage of the disease and without treatment it generally progresses to the accelerated phase of the condition. The majority of patients diagnosed with myeloid leukemia are diagnosed during the chronic phase.
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Philadelphia-Negative: Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a relatively aggressive cancer of the white blood cells. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets. The Philadelphia negative form of the condition is not associated with a genetic mutation. It is distinguished from the positive form by the clinical course which is initially the same but progresses to eventual bone marrow failure without a distinct increase in blast cells. Other differences include poor response to chemotherapy, lower white blood cell counts, greater monocytosis, less basophilia, lower bone marrow myeloid to erythroid ratio and increased likelihood of developing thrombocytopenia. Philadelphia negative patients also tend to be older and median survival rates tend to be poorer.
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Philadelphia-Positive: A relatively aggressive cancer of the cells that produce white blood cells. The Philadelphia form of myeloid leukemia carries a relatively poor prognosis. It involves an acquired genetic mutation which results in the production tyrosine kinase which causes too many abnormal white blood cells to be produced which results in a shortage of other blood cell types. Treatment is aimed at inhibiting the production of tyrosine kinase.
• Leukemia, T-Cell: A form of blood cancer characterized by the proliferation of cancerous T-cells which make up part of the body's immune system. The exact symptoms and progression vary depending on the subtype involved.
• Leukemia, T-Cell, Acute: A form of blood cancer characterized by the proliferation of cancerous T-cells which make up part of the body's immune system. The exact symptoms and progression vary depending on the subtype involved. The acute form involves a rapid proliferation of cancerous T-cells and hence a more rapid disease progression and increased severity of symptoms.
• Leukemia, T-cell, chronic: Cancer of blood cells called T-cells which form part of the immune system.
• Leukemia, mast-cell: A very aggressive form of leukemia - a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. The cancer can in rare cases develop from chronic myeloid leukemia or systemic mastocytosis but generally develops on its own.
• Lymphocytic leukemia: A condition characterized by the proliferation of lymphoid tissues
• Metastatic blood cancer: Cancer cells can "break away" from a primary tumor, enter lymphatic and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream, and settle down to grow within normal tissues elsewhere in the body.
• Mosse syndrome: A condition involving the association of liver cirrhosis with polycythemia which is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the excessive production of mainly red blood cells by the bone marrow.
• Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: A rare condition characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes (immune cells) which causes destructive arthritis and skin nodules.
• Multiple Myeloma: A rare malignant cancer that occurs in the bone marrow. More common in skull, spine, rib cage, pelvis and legs.
• Myelodysplastic syndrome associated with isolated del(5q) chromosome abnormality: A condition where abnormal function of the bone marrow results in insufficient production of normal blood cells. The disorder is caused by the deletion of genetic material from chromosome 5q.
• Myelodysplastic syndromes: A group of syndromes characterized by a disruption in the production of blood cells. Often the bone marrow increases production of various blood cells but because many of them are defective, they are destroyed before the reach the blood stream.
• Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease: A rare group of blood and bone marrow diseases which contains features of myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disease. Myelodysplastic disease is when the immature blood cells do not develop into normal functioning mature cells. Myeloproliferative disease is where excessive numbers of blood cells are made.
• Myelofibrosis: A rare condition where progressive scarring or fibrosis of the bone marrow impairs it's ability to make blood cells causing symptoms such as anemia and liver and spleen enlargement.
• Myelofibrosis-osteosclerosis: Formation of fibrous tissue in the bone marrow in response to bone marrow damage.
• Myelogenous leukemia: A condition which is characterized proliferation of myeloid tissue and the abnormal increase in granulocytes
• Myeloid Sarcoma: A rare type of tumor that develops from myeloid cells (type of immature white blood cell) and tends to usually have a greenish color. The tumor is essentially a localized solid collection of leukemic cells that occurs outside the bone marrow. It can occur in many parts of the body such as the chest, vertebrae, pelvis, skin, lymph nodes and parts of the skull. On rare occasions, it can occur in various organs such as the heart and brain. The tumor can occur as a primary condition or may be associated with cancerous conditions such as acute leukemia and acute promyelocytic leukemia. Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the tumor.
• Myeloma: A primary malignancy of the plasma cells
• Myelomatous polyneuropathy: Polyneuropathy may be associated with multiple myeloma which is a tumour of the plasma cells.
• Myeloproliferative diseases: Myeloproliferative diseases are a diverse group of diseases characterised by proliferation of cells in one or more blood cell lines, but is distinct from leukemia. Diseases include chronic myelogenous leukemia, polycythemia rubra vera, myelofibrosis and essential thrmbocythemia.
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A type of lymphoma, a cancer affecting lymph nodes and the immune system.
• Osteomyelitis: A bone inflammation caused by bacteria. The inflammation usually originates in another part of the body and is transported to the bone via the blood.
• Pancytopenia: A term used to describe a lack of all of the different types of blood cells - red and white blood cells and blood platelets. Cancer, infections and toxins are some of the causes of pancytopenia. Symptoms depend on the severity of the deficiency.
• Pearson's anemia: Pearson's anemia is a rare progressive condition characterized by abnormal pancreatic functioning and sideroblastic anemia. Diagnosis usually occurs within the first 7 years of life and death in infancy is common.
• Pearson's marrow-pancreas syndrome: A rare condition characterized by abnormal functioning of the bone marrow, liver, kidneys and pancreas. Infant death is common.
• Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloid leukemia: A form of leukemia.
• Plasma cell leukemia: A form of leukemia characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells in the peripheral blood system. The prognosis is generally poor for this usually aggressive condition.
• Plasmacytoma anaplastic: A type of cancer from plasma cells where the plasma cells multiply uncontrollably. It can occur in the bone or in soft tissue. If the cancer is located in only one part of the body it is called a solitary plasmacytoma and if there are multiple sites it is called a multiple myeloma. Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the cancer.
• Polycythemia rubra: An uncommon chronic blood disease involving an increased production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. The production of platelets and white blood cells may also be increased.
• Polycythemia vera: A condition which is characterized by myeloproliferation of unknown etiology
• Porphyria, congenital erythropoietic: An extremely rare inherited metabolic disorder involving a deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase which results in increased deposits of porphyrin in the bone marrow, blood, urine, feces and sometimes teeth and bones.
• Prolymphocytic leukemia: A very rare type of leukemia involving a proliferation of immature white blood cells (prolymphocytes - T-cells).
• Protoporphyria erythropoietic: An inherited metabolic disorder where a deficiency of ferrochelatase leads to a buildup of protoporphyrin in the bone marrow, red blood cells and occasionally the liver.
• Retinopathy -- aplastic anemia -- neurological abnormalities: A very rare syndrome characterized by retinal disease, aplastic anemia and neurological problems.
• Revesz Debuse syndrome: A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by disease of the eye retinas, anemia and central nervous system anomalies.
• Revesz Syndrome: A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by disease of the eye retinas, anemia and central nervous system anomalies.
• Richter syndrome: A rare but serious form of acute adult leukemia. The disease occurs when chronic lymphocytic leukemia transforms into diffuse large cell lymphoma which is a fast-growing form of lymphoma. The condition tends to be more common in older adults.
• Severe congenital neutropenia: A rare inherited blood disorder involving a lack of neutrophils which are a type of white blood cell needed to fight bacterial infections.
• Shwachman syndrome: A rare disorder where a pancreatic defect impairs digestive enzyme production and malfunction of the bone marrow produces blood abnormalities, particularly blood cells involved with fighting infection. These defects produce a range of symptoms as a result of malabsorption and poor ability to fight infections. Characterized by a lack of digestive enzymes and low immunity due to low leukocyte level.
• Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome:
• Sickle Cell Anemia: Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by red blood cells which are crescent-shaped rather than the normal doughnut shape. These abnormally shaped red blood cells are unable to function normally and tend to undergo premature destruction which leads to anemia. If the genetic defect which causes the condition is inherited from both parents the condition can be quite severe whereas if it is inherited from only one parent, often there are no symptoms. The abnormally shaped red blood cells can cause problems when they clump together and block blood vessels.
• Sickle cell crisis: A condition which is characterized by either a hemolytic crisis or vaso-occlusive crisis
• Smoldering adult T-Cell leukemia: A form of blood cancer affecting the T-cells which make up the body's immune system. The disease is caused by the HTLV-1 virus (human T-cell leukemia virus) which causes the proliferation of abnormal T-cells. The virus can be transmitted sexually and may lay dormant for decades. There are four subtypes: acute, chronic, lymphoma and smoldering. The acute and lymphoma subtypes have the poorest prognosis. The smoldering form tends to progress even slower than the chronic form and responds the best to treatment.
• Spherocytosis: A rare blood disorder characterized by a defect of the red blood cell membrane which gives it a spherical shape rather than the normal doughnut shape.
• T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Cancer of particular white blood cells called T-cells. Precursors to white blood cells are called blasts and are made by the bone marrow but in ALL the blasts are abnormal and do not develop into lymphocytes. Instead, the abnormal blasts or leukemic cells multiply rapidly and reduce the level of other types of blood cells such as red blood cells and platelets.
• T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia: A form of cancer which causes proliferation of T-cells in the intermediate stage of development.
• Unusual facies, Myelodysplasia and immunodeficiency: A rare syndrome characterized mainly by an unusual facial appearance, myelodysplasia and immunodeficiency.
• Weight loss: Loss of body weight.

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