Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside certain bones where new blood cells are made.
In leukemia, abnormal blood cells grow and multiply. Over time, these cells crowd out healthy blood cells and make it hard for the body to carry oxygen, fight infections, and control bleeding.
How does leukemia develop?
The way leukemia develops and progresses depends on the specific type. Some leukemias grow quickly, while others can develop slowly over several years.
Leukemia is typically classified by how quickly it develops and the type of blood cell it affects.
What are the different types of leukemia?
Main types of leukemia
There are four main types of leukemia. They are:
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in young children, though it can also affect adults. It is a fast-growing leukemia.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is found in both adults and children and is the most common acute leukemia in adults. It is a fast-growing leukemia.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) mainly affects older adults, typically those over 55, and is the most common chronic leukemia in adults. CLL grows slowly.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is primarily an adult disease. It can progress slowly with few symptoms initially, but it can accelerate over time. CML is a slow-growing leukemia.
Rare types of leukemia
There are also rarer types of leukemia. Sometimes these are considered subtypes of one of the main types.
Prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) can develop on its own. It can also develop with CLL. It grows faster than CLL.
Large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGL) is a type of chronic leukemia.
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare, slow-growing subtype of CLL.
What causes leukemia?
Researchers do not know exactly why someone develops leukemia.
There are some factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing some types of leukemia. These can include:
Exposure to high levels of radiation or certain chemicals
Smoking
Genetic conditions
Certain blood disorders
How is leukemia diagnosed?
Leukemia may be discovered after someone begins to experience symptoms or through a routine blood test.
A complete blood count (CBC) measures different types of cells in the blood.
Doctors may also perform a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy to examine cells from the bone marrow. Other tests look for proteins, chromosomes, genes, and mutations within leukemia cells.
These tests help doctors determine the specific type of leukemia. They may also provide information about how the disease could behave and which treatments may work best.
Is leukemia curable?
Some types of leukemia can be cured. Others are considered treatable or manageable long-term.
Factors like age, overall health, genetic changes in the leukemia cells, response to treatment, and whether the leukemia has returned can all affect a person’s prognosis.
Leukemia treatment continues to change as researchers learn more about the biology of different types of the disease. If you have been diagnosed with leukemia, your healthcare team can help you understand what your specific diagnosis means and what treatment options are available.
Learn more by viewing HealthTree’s Leukemia guide.
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Sharing your insights and experience with cancer leads to a deeper understanding of the patient experience, improved treatments, earlier diagnoses, and a better understanding of how the disease affects different people.
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