Blood Diseases

Leukemias

Overview of Leukemias

For More Information

Greenebaum Cancer Center: Treatment Programs
Our Program for Hematologic Malignancies offers therapies for all stages of leukemia. More»

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells, usually the white blood cells. Leukemic cells look different than normal cells and do not function properly.

What are the types of leukemia?

There are four main types of leukemia, which can be further divided into subtypes. When classifying the type of leukemia, the first steps are to determine if the cancer is:

lymphocytic or myelogenous leukemia:
Cancer can occur in either the lymphoid or myeloid white blood cells.

When the cancer develops in the lymphocytes (lymphoid cells), it is called lymphocytic leukemia.

When the cancer develops in the granulocytes or monocytes (myeloid cells), it is called myelogenous leukemia.

acute or chronic leukemia:
Leukemia is either acute or chronic.

acute leukemia
The new or immature cells, called blasts, remain very immature and cannot perform their functions. The blasts increase in number rapidly, and the disease progresses quickly.

chronic leukemia
There are some blast cells present, but they are more mature and are able to perform some of their functions. The cells grow more slowly, and the number increases less quickly, so the disease progresses gradually.

Based on these findings, the leukemia is then classified into one of the four main types of leukemias.

acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

There are other types and subtypes of leukemias.

What are the symptoms of leukemia?

The following are the most common symptoms for leukemia, however, each individual may experience symptoms differently:

more frequent infections and fevers
anemia and its symptoms: pale skin, fatigue, weakness
bleeding
bruising
fever, chills
loss of appetite
loss of weight
swollen or tender lymph nodes, liver, or spleen
petechiae (tiny red spots under the skin)
swollen or bleeding gums
sweating
bone or joint pain

In addition, acute leukemia may cause:

headaches
vomiting
confusion
loss of muscle control
seizures
swollen testicles
sores in the eyes or on the skin

Chronic leukemia may affect the skin, central nervous system, digestive tract, kidneys, and testicles.

The symptoms of acute and chronic leukemias may resemble other blood disorders or medical problems. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How are leukemias diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for acute and chronic leukemias may include:

physician examination for swelling in the:
- liver
- spleen
- lymph nodes under the arms, in the groin, and in the neck

additional blood tests and other laboratory tests
blood tests to examine the blast (immature) blood cells
bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
lymph node biopsy
spinal tap
imaging procedures, such as x-ray, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT)

Treatment for acute and chronic leukemias:
Specific treatment for acute and chronic leukemias will be determined by your physician(s) based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

Treatment may include (individually or in combination) the following:

chemotherapy
radiation therapy
bone marrow stem cell transplantation
biological therapy
platelet transfusion
red blood cell transfusion
medications to prevent or treat damage to other systems of the body caused

This page was last updated on: January 30, 2008.

For patient inquiries, call 1-800-492-5538 or click here to make an appointment.