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A two-panel drawing of normal blood cells and blood cells with leukemia. Platelets, red blood cells (rbc's), white blood cells (wbc's), plasma (fluid), and blast cells are labeled. Leukemia is a group of cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells. The exact cause of leukemia is unknown. Different kinds of leukemia are believed to have different causes. Both inherited and environmental (non-inherited) factors are believed to be involved. Risk factors include smoking, ionizing radiation, some chemicals (such as benzene), prior chemotherapy, and Down syndrome. People with a family history of leukemia are also at higher risk.
