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Leukemia

Learn about the definition for this nursing term.

Malignant increase in the number of leukocytes, usually at the immature stage, in the bone marrow. The immature white blood cells (WBCs) multiply at the expense of normal blood cells, causing anemia from decreased erythrocytes; infection from decreased neutrophils (neutropenia); and bleeding and hemorrhage from decreased platelet production (thrombocytopenia).

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