What causes lymph gland enlargement in patients with leukemia?

Lymph gland enlargement in patients with leukemia is primarily caused by the accumulation of immature white blood cells (WBCs) within the lymphatic system. In leukemia, there is an uncontrolled production of dysfunctional and immature WBCs, which do not function properly in fighting infections. As these immature cells proliferate, they can overpopulate the bone marrow and spill over into the peripheral blood, leading to increased levels of these cells in the lymphatic system. This results in lymphadenopathy, or the swelling of lymph nodes, due to the buildup of these cells trying to engage in immune activities.

The other options do not directly relate to the mechanisms leading to lymph gland enlargement in leukemia. For instance, while the overproduction of red blood cells might occur in other hematological conditions, it is not a characteristic of leukemia and does not contribute to lymph node enlargement. Similarly, nutrient deficiencies and increased carbon dioxide levels do not cause the specific issues associated with the accumulation of immature white blood cells in the lymphatic system typical of leukemia.