Not all leukemias are the same. Knowing the specific type of leukemia helps doctors better predict each patient's prognosis outlook and plan the best treatment.
A leukemia is acute or chronic depending on whether most of the abnormal cells are immature and are more like stem cells or mature and are more like normal white blood cells.
In chronic leukemia, the cells mature partly but not completely. These cells may look fairly normal, but they're not. They generally do not fight infection as well as normal white blood cells do. The leukemia cells also live longer than normal cells, build up, and crowd out normal cells in the bone marrow. Chronic leukemias can take a long time before they cause problems, and most people can live for many years.
But chronic leukemias are generally harder to cure than acute leukemias. Whether leukemia is myeloid or lymphocytic depends on which bone marrow cells the cancer starts in. There are 4 main types of leukemia, based on whether they are acute or chronic, and myeloid or lymphocytic:.
In acute leukemias, the bone marrow cells cannot mature the way they should. Researchers are also investigating the possibility of additional targeted therapies to help treat HCL.
AML occurs when there are abnormal white blood cells in your body called myeloblasts. This type of cancer is also called acute myelogenous, granulocytic, nonlymphocytic, or myeloblastic leukemia. The most common form of acute fast-developing leukemia among adults , AML is also the most critical because it progresses rapidly. AML is most commonly treated with chemotherapy with or without stem cells and radiation therapy.
Various targeted therapies are relatively new in the treatment of AML, and different combinations are being researched further.
Also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL is responsible for creating too many lymphocytes. However, certain risk factors may increase the risk of ALL in adults, such as being an adult white male over the age of The exact type of treatment depends on the stage and type of leukemia you have, as well as your age.
Stem cell transplants are also more typically used in children. Unlike other types of leukemia, both CLL and HCL treatment may include watchful waiting in early stages due to the slower rates of progression. A leukemia diagnosis can be challenging to process for both you and your loved ones no matter which type you may have. First, learn as much as you can about your cancer diagnosis.
Talk with a doctor and ask them questions about treatment options and factors that affect your prognosis, which can vary between individuals. Also, enlist the help of friends and loved ones for emotional support and assistance with daily tasks as you start cancer treatment.
For additional help, ask a doctor for local or virtual leukemia support groups. Clinical Trials Our experts conduct clinical trials to deliver cutting-edge treatment to our patients. Find a trial. Our Experts Our team includes expert hematologists and oncologists. Meet the team. Request an Appointment Schedule an appointment by calling Contact us. Types of Cancer Programs. Targeted Therapy. Browse now. Within 5 miles Within 10 miles Within 15 miles Within 20 miles Within 25 miles.
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Search trials. Contact Us For general information or questions, call Contact us now. Health Alert:. Learn More. Explore this Section. What is Leukemia? What Causes Leukemia? In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.
Elsevier; Accessed Oct. Niederhuber JE, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. American Society of Hematology. Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. July 9, Pruthi RK expert opinion. Related Infographic: Blood Cancer Awareness. Associated Procedures Biological therapy for cancer Bone marrow biopsy Bone marrow transplant Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Show more associated procedures.
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