What condition is characterized by malfunctioning stem cells in the bone marrow?

The condition characterized by malfunctioning stem cells in the bone marrow is leukemia. This cancer affects the blood and bone marrow and results from the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal white blood cells. These dysfunctional cells interfere with the production of normal blood cells, leading to various clinical symptoms.

In leukemia, the stem cells that are meant to produce healthy blood cells become malignant. As a result, the body may not produce enough red blood cells, leading to anemia, or it may produce an excess of immature white blood cells which cannot effectively fight infections. Additionally, the production of platelets can be disrupted, leading to issues such as thrombocytopenia. While conditions like anemia and thrombocytopenia can arise due to problems in the bone marrow, they are often not directly caused by the malfunctioning stem cells characteristic of leukemia.

Lymphoma, on the other hand, primarily affects the lymphatic system and involves the lymphocytes rather than the stem cells in the bone marrow. This distinction is important in understanding the specific pathology associated with leukemia as compared to other hematologic conditions.