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any of several cancers of the bone marrow that prevent the normal manufacture of red and white blood cells and platelets, resulting in anemia, increased susceptibility to infection, and impaired blood clotting.
Contemporary Examples

Jack had another daughter who died of leukemia in 1977 when she was 14 years old.
Jack Germond, a Reporter From Another Time Eleanor Clift August 13, 2013

Legendary R&B singer Etta James died Friday after a long battle with leukemia.
Singer Etta James Dies at 73 January 19, 2012

When he died April 12 after a brief battle with leukemia, it came as a shock.
Sidney Harman: An Extraordinary Life Jonathan Alter April 12, 2011

Remembering Nora Ephron The acclaimed screenwriter and director died Tuesday at 71 after a battle with leukemia.
Obamacare, Ann Curry, Nora Ephron, and More Viral Videos The Daily Beast Video June 29, 2012

Kekua, the story went, died of leukemia; she was diagnosed with the disease after a nasty car accident.
Listen Here: Voicemails From Manti Te’o’s ‘Girlfriend’ Lizzie Crocker January 23, 2013

The disease progresses to the fatal form of leukemia in about 30 percent of cases.
Nora Ephron, Dead at 71, Remembered for Wit and Wisdom Nancy Hass June 26, 2012

Historical Examples

It occurs in well-marked cases of pernicious anemia and leukemia, and, much less commonly, in very severe symptomatic anemias.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis James Campbell Todd

Pathologically, normoblasts occur in severe symptomatic anemia, leukemia, and pernicious anemia.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis James Campbell Todd

They occur most abundantly in malaria, leukemia, and pernicious anemia.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis James Campbell Todd

Pseudoleukemia, because of its clinical similarity to lymphatic leukemia, is generally described along with leukemia.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis James Campbell Todd

n.

1851, on model of German Leukämie (1848), coined by R. Virchow from Greek leukos “clear, white” (cognate with Gothic liuhaþ, Old English leoht “light;” see light (n.)) + haima “blood” (see -emia).

leukemia leu·ke·mi·a (lōō-kē’mē-ə)
n.
Any of various acute or chronic neoplastic diseases of the bone marrow in which unrestrained proliferation of white blood cells occurs and which is usually accompanied by anemia, impaired blood clotting, and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.
leu·ke’mic adj.
leukemia
(l-kē’mē-ə)
Any of various acute or chronic neoplastic diseases of the bone marrow in which unrestrained proliferation of white blood cells occurs, usually accompanied by anemia, impaired blood clotting, and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Certain viruses, genetic defects, chemicals, and ionizing radiation, are associated with an increased risk of leukemia, which is classified according to the cellular maturity of the involved white blood cells.
leukemia [(looh-kee-mee-uh)]

A kind of cancer in which the number of white blood cells in the blood greatly increases. Leukemia usually spreads to the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and other areas of the body, causing destruction of tissues and often resulting in death.