About Leukemia

Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by

• Leukemia

• Blood cancer

• Bone marrow cancer

What is Leukemia?

• Definition: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, which is the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.

• Process: In individuals with leukemia, the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells cannot fight infections effectively like healthy white blood cells. The buildup of these abnormal cells crowds out healthy blood cells, making it difficult for the body to function properly.

Types of Leukemia

• Leukemia generally falls into two main categories:

• Acute leukemia: This type develops quickly and worsens rapidly if left untreated. It is more common in children.

• Chronic leukemia: This type develops slowly and might not cause symptoms for years. It is more common in adults.

• The four main types of leukemia are:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Symptoms of Leukemia

• Symptoms can include:

• Feeling tired and weak

• Frequent infections

• Easy bruising or bleeding

• Fever or chills

• Bone or joint pain

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Unexplained weight loss

Risk Factors and Causes

• Doctors do not know the exact cause of leukemia, but certain factors can increase the risk, such as:

• Exposure to high levels of radiation

• Certain chemicals

• Certain genetic conditions

Treatment

• Treatment depends on the type of leukemia and how advanced it is. Common treatments include:

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation therapy

• Targeted therapy

• Stem cell transplants

• With advances in treatment, many people with leukemia can be cured or experience long periods without the disease.

Trend

• Approximately 472,714 people were living with leukemia in the United States as of 2022.

• The American Cancer Society estimated that about 60,650 new cases of leukemia were diagnosed in 2022.

• While an exact five-year projection is difficult, the number of new cases is expected to remain relatively stable or increase slightly each year based on current trends.

• The number of people living with leukemia may continue to increase because of improved treatments and survival rates.

History

• The term "leukemia" is derived from the Greek words "leukos" (white) and "haima" (blood).

• Leukemia was first recognized as a distinct disease in the 1800s. John Hughes Bennett, a Scottish doctor, published the first description of leukemia in 1845.

• For many years, leukemia was considered incurable. The first successful treatments, involving chemotherapy drugs, began in the 1940s and 1950s.

• A major breakthrough occurred in 2001 with the approval of imatinib, a targeted therapy drug that significantly improved survival rates for chronic myeloid leukemia.

• Research has since led to a better understanding of the different types of leukemia and more effective treatments.

• Today, many forms of leukemia have high cure rates, especially in children, and new treatments are helping people live longer and better lives even with types that cannot be cured.

Leukemia Cancer - Source of Information

• Mayo Clinic

• Penn Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center

• Pfizer

• The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center

For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.