 marrow cells and a moderate number of lymphocytes (the purple-stained cells) distributed throughout the smear. In the blood smear of an ALL patient, as seen at right, lymphoblasts and undeveloped lymphocytes dominate and are present at unusually high concentrations. Lymphoblasts, which give their name to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, are lymphocytes that have enlarged to fight off antigens. In leukemic marrow, however, malignant lymphoblasts reproduce uncontrollably, even in the absence of antigens.
The photographs of marrow at right show marrow as it appears in the human body. In normal bone marrow, seen center right, many different cell types are present, and the large, white blood cells are distributed in great quantity throughout the marrow. The different cell types in marrow can be seen at center in an illustration of bone marrow. In the marrow of an ALL patient, far right, the cells are very dense and lymphoblasts dominate. This is especially apparent when you examine the small number of white blood cells that remain. The consequences of lymphoblast growth is that the stem cells needed to produce red blood cells and healthy white blood cells are squeezed out of the marrow, with the cancerous cells consuming their nutrients and space.
Trial Issues and Leukemia TreatmentThe plaintiffs alleged a causal connection between prolonged consumption of the contaminated drinking water and the victims of leukemia. They relied on Harvard medical studies and the Massachusetts Department of Health as primary sources of information regarding the relation between the chlorinated solvents, TCE and PCE, and the cancers. The defendants utilized experts to discredit the accuracy of the Harvard and Massachusetts studies. The defendants used medical science studies showing the connection between "every day" items and related high incidence of cancers. Their approach focused more on creating a reasonable doubt between cancers and its causes.
Mock Trial Strategies and Leukemia Treatment
Students should be encouraged in their preparation for the mock trial to research the scientific evidence connecting leukemia to specific sources. They should look at improvements in treatment and in understanding the mutation that results from exposure to certain environmental conditions. Over the past decade, our understanding of the relation between the cause-and-effect of certain cancers has dramatically improved.