What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a disease that affects thousands of people of all ages every year. While it may be overwhelming, understanding leukemia can help patients and their loved ones navigate the diagnosis and treatment process.

Leukemia is a broad term for cancers of the blood cells. Most often, it starts in a white blood cell within the bone marrow, but it can begin in other blood cells, too. When the change occurs in the cell, it starts to multiply. The new leukemia cells can grow faster than normal cells.1, 2

The type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cell that becomes cancer and whether it grows quickly or slowly.

What are the types of leukemia?

Different types of leukemia can affect different blood cells. Some types grow quickly (acute), while others grow slowly (chronic). The 4 main types of leukemia are:1, 2

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL):3

  • Also called acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute lymphoid leukemia
  • Starts in a stem cell in the bone marrow, but it can spread to other areas
  • The type of ALL you have can determine treatment
  • Not the same in children and adults

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML):4

  • Starts with a mutation (change) in the DNA of a single stem cell in the bone marrow
  • For some people, AML is curable
  • Not the same in children and adults

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL):5

  • The most common kind of leukemia in adults in Western countries
  • Starts with a mutation in a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow
  • People with CLL have many treatment options
  • If CLL is low-risk and grows slowly, doctors may suggest regular checkups instead of starting treatment right away

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML):6

  • Also called chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia
  • Starts with a mutation in a single stem cell in the bone marrow
  • Most CML patients are treated with daily oral drug therapy
  • It is very rare for children to get CML

What are the symptoms of leukemia?

Leukemia can have many symptoms that may be different depending on the type. Chronic leukemia symptoms may be subtle or unnoticeable at first. This is why it’s important to be aware of potential warning signs and seek medical care if you notice any unusual changes in your health.7

Some signs of leukemia include:8

  • Bone pain or tenderness
  • Easy bleeding or bruising
  • Excessive night sweating
  • Fever or chills
  • Frequent infections
  • Ongoing fatigue or weakness
  • Petechiae (small red skin spots)
  • Recurring nosebleeds
  • Swollen lymph nodes, liver or spleen
  • Unintentional weight loss

How is leukemia diagnosed?

Because leukemia might not show clear signs at first, doctors may use different tests to find out if you have it. Early diagnosis is important for starting treatment and improving outcomes. A diagnosis may include:7

  • A physical exam
  • Questions about your health and family history
  • Blood tests, like a complete blood count (CBC)
  • Bone marrow tests, where a doctor takes a small sample of bone and bone marrow to send to a lab for testing
  • Genetic tests to look for changes in your genes or chromosomes

If leukemia is found, there may be more tests to see if the cancer has spread. These can include imaging tests and a lumbar puncture, where a small amount of fluid from your spine is collected and checked.7

What are the treatment options for leukemia?

Leukemia is not treated the same way for everyone. Doctors consider several factors to decide on the best treatment plan. Understanding the different options available can help you and your care team choose the most effective path forward.

Treatment options for leukemia may depend on:7

  • Which type of leukemia you have
  • The severity of the leukemia
  • Your age and overall health

Possible treatment options may include:7

What are the risk factors for leukemia?

Anyone can get leukemia, but some things can make it more likely. It’s good to know these risk factors, but having them does not mean you will get leukemia. Also, some people with leukemia do not have any risk factors. Learning about these risks can help you talk to your doctor and make good choices about your health.

Risk factors for certain types of leukemia include:7

  • Past cancer treatment
  • Genetic disorders
  • Exposure to certain chemicals
  • Smoking
  • Family history

Tips for living with leukemia: support and resources

Living with leukemia can be hard, but there are things you can do to help manage how you feel. Getting support, learning about your condition and taking care of yourself are important. Here are some tips to help you live with leukemia and find support when you need it.

  • Learn about leukemia so you can make good choices about your care. The more you learn, the better choices you can make.
  • Stay close to friends and family. They can help you with tasks and give you support when you feel sad or worried.
  • Talk to someone about how you feel. This could be a friend, family member, counselor or someone in a support group.
  • Take care of yourself. Spend time doing things you like, such as yoga, cooking or other hobbies.8