Overview
Leukemia is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and
the lymphatic system.
Many types of leukemia exist. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children.
Other forms of leukemia occur mostly in adults.
Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells. Your white blood cells are potent
infection fighters — they normally grow and divide in an orderly way, as your body
needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive
amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don't function properly.
Treatment for leukemia can be complex — depending on the type of leukemia and other
factors. But there are strategies and resources that can help make your treatment
successful.
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Symptoms
Leukemia symptoms vary, depending on the type of leukemia. Common leukemia signs
and symptoms include:
Fever or chills
Persistent fatigue, weakness
Frequent or severe infections
Losing weight without trying
Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
Easy bleeding or bruising
Recurrent nosebleeds
Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)
Excessive sweating, especially at night
Bone pain or tenderness
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms
that worry you.
Leukemia symptoms are often vague and not specific. You may overlook early leukemia
symptoms because they may resemble symptoms of the flu and other common
illnesses.
Sometimes leukemia is discovered during blood tests for some other condition.
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Causes
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Scientists don't understand the exact causes of leukemia. It seems to develop from a
combination of genetic and environmental factors.
How leukemia forms
In general, leukemia is thought to occur when some blood cells acquire changes
(mutations) in their genetic material or DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that
tell a cell what to do. Normally, the DNA tells the cell to grow at a set rate and to die at a
set time. In leukemia, the mutations tell the blood cells to continue growing and dividing.
When this happens, blood cell production becomes out of control. Over time, these
abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to fewer
healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, causing the signs and symptoms
of leukemia.
How leukemia is classified
Doctors classify leukemia based on its speed of progression and the type of cells
involved.
The first type of classification is by how fast the leukemia progresses:
Acute leukemia. In acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells are immature
blood cells (blasts). They can't carry out their normal functions, and they multiply
rapidly, so the disease worsens quickly. Acute leukemia requires aggressive,
timely treatment.
Chronic leukemia. There are many types of chronic leukemias. Some produce
too many cells and some cause too few cells to be produced. Chronic leukemia
involves more-mature blood cells. These blood cells replicate or accumulate more
slowly and can function normally for a period of time. Some forms of chronic
leukemia initially produce no early symptoms and can go unnoticed or
undiagnosed for years.
The second type of classification is by type of white blood cell affected:
Lymphocytic leukemia. This type of leukemia affects the lymphoid cells
(lymphocytes), which form lymphoid or lymphatic tissue. Lymphatic tissue makes
up your immune system.
Myelogenous (my-uh-LOHJ-uh-nus) leukemia. This type of leukemia affects
the myeloid cells. Myeloid cells give rise to red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelet-producing cells.
Types of leukemia
The major types of leukemia are:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). This is the most common type of leukemia
in young children. ALL can also occur in adults.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). AML is a common type of leukemia. It
occurs in children and adults. AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in
adults.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). With CLL, the most common chronic
adult leukemia, you may feel well for years without needing treatment.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This type of leukemia mainly affects
adults. A person with CML may have few or no symptoms for months or years
before entering a phase in which the leukemia cells grow more quickly.
Other types. Other, rarer types of leukemia exist, including hairy cell leukemia,
myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of developing some types of leukemia include:
Previous cancer treatment. People who've had certain types of chemotherapy
and radiation therapy for other cancers have an increased risk of developing
certain types of leukemia.
Genetic disorders. Genetic abnormalities seem to play a role in the
development of leukemia. Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are
associated with an increased risk of leukemia.
Exposure to certain chemicals. Exposure to certain chemicals, such as
benzene — which is found in gasoline and is used by the chemical industry — is
linked to an increased risk of some kinds of leukemia.
Smoking. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia.
Family history of leukemia. If members of your family have been diagnosed
with leukemia, your risk of the disease may be increased.
