Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Leukemia begins in a cell in the bone marrow. The cell undergoes a change and becomes a type of leukemia cell. Once the marrow cell undergoes a leukemic change, the leukemia cells may grow and survive better than normal cells. Over time, the leukemia cells crowd out or suppress the development of normal cells. The rate at which leukemia progresses and how the cells replace the normal blood and marrow cells are different with each type of leukemia.
After diagnosis and treatment, many people with leukemia live many good, quality years. You may find that knowing more about the disease and its treatment can help you cope.
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Types of Leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood that progresses rapidly without treatment Does not have a clear cause Click here to access ALL statistics. Click here to access information about ALL in children and teens.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood. It progresses rapidly without treatment and affects mostly cells that aren't fully developed; therefore, these cells can't carry out their normal functions. AML can be a difficult disease to treat and researchers are studying new approaches to AML therapy in clinical trials.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) Is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow Can progress either slowly or quickly depending on the form it takes Click here to access CLL statistics. What You Should Know CLL is the most common type of leukemia in adults in Western countries.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood CML is usually diagnosed in its chronic phase when treatment is very effective for most patients.
Hairy Cell Leukemia
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) Is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow Is a rare type of chronic leukemia Hairy cell leukemia gets its name from the short, thin projections that look like hair on its cells. What You Should Know Many people with hairy cell leukemia live good-quality lives for years with medical care.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) Is an uncommon blood cancer that has features of two other types of blood cancers. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies CMML as myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms. There are about 1,100 cases each year. Generally affects older adults.
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) Is an uncommon blood cancer that have overlapping features of two other types of blood cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) as a “myelodysplastic/ myeloproliferative neoplasm.”
Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia
Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia is a type of chronic leukemia affecting white blood cells called "lymphocytes." Lymphocytes are part of the body's immune system and help fight certain infections. LGL leukemia is characterized by enlarged lymphocytes, containing noticeable granules, which can be seen when the blood is examined under the microscope.
Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm
For personalized disease and treatment information, or to learn about clinical trials, contact one of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS's) Information Specialists at (800) 955-4572. Background Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) was previously known as natural killer (NK) cell leukemia/lymphoma.
B-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia (B-PLL)
B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) is a very rare and typically aggressive malignancy (cancer) characterized by the out of control growth of B-cells (B-lymphocytes). B-cells are a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. B-PLL usually affects older adults with a median age at diagnosis of 69 years, and it is slightly more common in men than women.
T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia (T-PLL)
T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is an extremely rare and typically aggressive malignancy (cancer) that is characterized by the out of control growth of mature T-cells (T-lymphocytes). T-cells are a type of white blood cell that protects the body from infections. T-PLL affects older adults with a median age at diagnosis of 61 years, and it is more common in men than in women.