HealthJuly 14, 2026

leukemia

/luːˈkiːmiə/

Definition

A serious form of cancer affecting the blood-forming tissues, often requiring intensive treatments like bone marrow transplants.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek words 'leukos' (white) and 'haima' (blood), reflecting the characteristic increase in white blood cells associated with the condition. It was coined by German pathologist Rudolf Virchow in the mid-19th century.

In the news

In this article, leukemia is mentioned as the grave diagnosis of a child that served as the catalyst for the founders to start the Youstar Foundation to raise cancer awareness.

Mental health phone line

Read the full article ↗

LAist

Related words

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.