basic biology of blood cells
Cells are the structure of life. All living things on earth are made up of one or many trillions of cells whose chemical reactions are important for life. These chemical reactions must take place at the right speed and at the right time in order to maintain a normal metabolism in living organisms. Cells are programmed to reproduce at certain intervals and to live for specific periods of time. Normally, cells are formed, mature, carry out their function, die, and are replaced with new cells.
CML often exists for years with only moderately elevated numbers of leukemic cells and few symptoms. At some point, however, white cells reproduce uncontrollably, do not mature and die out as they should, and eventually crowd out the healthy cells.
Our goal is to help patients gain a better understanding of CML and ultimately to take charge of their disease. Please let us know if the following additional information is useful to you, too clinical, or perhaps not detailed enough. Send your feedback to info@cmlsociety.org
