Leukemia Center - El Cajon, CAEl Cajon Oncologist Doctors for LeukemiaType of Physician: Oncologist What is a Oncologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer. Specialty: Oncology (Medical) Common Name: Cancer Doctor Oncologist Doctors in El Cajon * Kousay Al-Kourainy MD  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  UCSD Moores Cancer Center Hematology Oncology  San Diego Cancer Center  Davood Vafai MD Inc  Davood Vafai MD Inc  Lawrence Cone MD  Otis Gaddis MD  Riverside Medical Clinic  Pacific Shores Medical Group  Beverly Oncology El Cajon, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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LeukemiaWhat is leukemia?Leukemia is cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. To understand cancer, it helps to know how normal blood cells form. Normal Blood Cells Most blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft material in the center of most bones. Stem cells mature into different kinds of blood cells. Each kind has a special job:
White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are made from stem cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. The picture below shows how stem cells can mature into different types of white blood cells. First, a stem cell matures into either a myeloid stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell:
The white blood cells that form from myeloid blasts are different from the white blood cells that form from lymphoid blasts.
Leukemia Cells In a person with leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells are leukemia cells. Unlike normal blood cells, leukemia cells don't die when they should. They may crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it hard for normal blood cells to do their work. Types of Leukemia...Recommended Reading Related to LeukemiaWhat are lymph nodes?Lymph nodes are an important component of the body's immune system and help in fighting infections. They are small, soft, round or oval structures that are found throughout the body and are connected to each other in chain-like (lymphatic chains) fashion by channels similar to blood vessels. Each individual lymph node is covered by a capsule made up of connective tissue. Within the capsule, lymph nodes contain certain kinds of immune cells. These cells are mainly lymphocytes, which produce proteins that capture and fight viruses and other microbes, and macrophages, which destroy and remove the captured material. Where are the lymph nodes located in the body?Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. Some are directly under the skin while others are deep inside the body. Even the most superficial (close to the skin) lymph nodes are usually not visible or palpable (felt by touchi... Other Related Leukemia ArticlesEmergency Contact for El Cajon
Nearby El Cajon Hospitals *Sharp Grossmont Hospital Alvarado Hospital San Diego Rehabilitation Institute Promise Hospital of San Diego Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center Paradise Valley Hospital Kindred Hospital San Diego Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women Sharp Memorial Hospital Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital Naval Medical Center San Diego  San Diego Hospice  Scripps Mercy Hospital  Vibra Hospital of San Diego  UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest  Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center  Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista  Bayview Behavioral Health Campus  Sharp Coronado Hospital  San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital  VA San Diego Health Care System  Pomerado Hospital  Aurora Behavioral Healthcare  UCSD Thornton Hospital  Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla  La Jolla Nursing & Rehabilitation Center  Scripps Green Hospital  Palomar Medical Center  Encinitas Nursing & Rehabilitation  Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas  Tri-City Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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