completely understood, despite the tremendous amount of research being gathered concerning it (United States 5). These significant amounts of research have, however, led specialists to decide on specific elements that may increase the probability of developing this disease (United States 5). Two factors that these specialists have concluded are risks that can increase the possibility of developing leukemia are radiation and genetics. Radiation, if the frequency is high enough, can over time produce changes in the human body (United States 5). Those people who are at a higher risk of developing leukemia are those who are exposed to high amounts of radiation on a regular basis (United States 5). The other significant factor contributing to leukemia is genetics. "People with certain chromosomal abnormalities have an increased risk of developing acute leukemia"(United States 6). Although the abnormalities may not be visible, some patients with acute leukemia have been found to have abnormalities within their bone marrow (United States 6). " In more that 90 percent of patients with CML [chronic myeloid leukemia] the leukemic cells have a unique chromosomal abnormality, the Philadelphia chromosome" (United States 6). Because there are significant differences in the ways leukemia develops there are also some differences in the symptoms that can be observed in different types of leukemia.
             We have already discussed that leukemia affects the body's ability to produce healthy white blood cells. In chronic leukemia these cells are still able to maintain some of their vital functions, but over a period of months or even years this ability is lost
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