Leukemia Health Information

Top : Conditions and Diseases : Leukemia

Learn About Leukemia:


Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. Leukemia starts in the bone marrow and can spread throughout other organs and the central nervous system. Leukemias can be divided into one of four main types: Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), Acute lymphocytic leukemia A(ALL), Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Acute (rapidly growing) - In acute leukemia, the bone marrow cells are unable to properly mature. Immature leukemic cells continue to reproduce and accumulate. Without treatment, most patients with acute leukemia would live less than a few months. Some subtypes of acute leukemia respond well to treatment and many patients are cured, while other types of acute leukemia have a less favorable outlook.

Chronic (slowly growing) - Chronic leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, and then can spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, skin, and brain.

Myelogenous vs. Lymphocytic - If the cancer develops from bone marrow lymphocytes, it is called lymphocytic leukemia. Malignant lymphomas are also cancers of lymphocytes. But, unlike lymphocytic leukemias which develop in the bone marrow, lymphomas develop from lymphocytes in lymph nodes or other organs.

Causes of Leukemia:

Some research shows that exposure to both low-energy radiation and high-energy radiation may be causes of leukemia. Research has also shown that leukemia is more frequent in males than in females, and that people of a certain heritage are more likely to have it than others.

Symptoms of Leukemia:

Fatigue, paleness, weight loss, repeated infections, nosebleeds, or other hemorrhages.

Treatment for Leukemia:

Chemotheraphy is the most effective treatment for leukemia. Also various anticancer drugs are often used as single agents or in combinations. Blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants can also be useful in certain leukemia treatments.

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