leukämieBlasten

LeukämieBlasten, a term often encountered in the context of leukemia, refers to immature, undifferentiated white blood cells. These blasts are typically found in the bone marrow and are not normally present in significant numbers in the peripheral blood. Their presence in large quantities in the blood or bone marrow is a hallmark of acute leukemia. In healthy individuals, blood cells mature through various stages, starting from hematopoietic stem cells and differentiating into functional mature cells like granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and red blood cells. LeukämieBlasten, however, are arrested in their development. They proliferate uncontrollably and do not mature into functional cells. This abnormal proliferation crowds out normal blood cell production, leading to a deficiency in healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The specific type of leukemia is often determined by the lineage of the blast cells, distinguishing between myeloid blasts (myeloblasts) which give rise to myeloid leukemia, and lymphoid blasts (lymphoblasts) which give rise to lymphoid leukemia. Diagnosis and classification rely on microscopic examination of blood and bone marrow smears, as well as immunophenotyping and cytogenetic analysis to identify the origin and specific characteristics of these malignant cells. The presence and percentage of leukämieBlasten are critical indicators for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning in leukemia patients.