What You Should Know About

LEUKEMIA
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is cancer that forms in blood cells, and bone marrow.
In most cases, leukemia forms in white blood cells, which help the body fight infection.
Over time, these cancerous blood cells divide, crowding out healthy cells, making it
difficult to get oxygen to the blood, fight infection and control bleeding.

LEUKEMIA BY THE NUMBERS

THE 9TH MOST COMMON The most common cancer among

non-skin cancer in the U.S. CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 15

In 2017, an estimated
Most likely to occur in
62,000 NEW CASES of leukemia
ADULTS OLDER THAN 55+
were diagnosed in the U.S.

PERCENT OF
NEW CASES 9% 4.5% 4.7% 9.9% 17.8% 24.4% 20.8% 10.9%

by age 0-19 20-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85+

60.6% 3.7% 388,000

Percent of patients Percent of all new Estimated number
surviving five years U.S. cancer of people living
after diagnosis diagnoses with leukemia

A CLOSER LOOK
Normal blood Leukemia Abnormal number of
white blood cells
WHITE BLOOD CELLS • Function incorrectly
• Crowd out other cells
Monocytes

Neutrophils

Lymphocytes

RED BLOOD CELLS

Enthrocytes Lower number
of platelets
PLATELETS • Blood cannot clot

TYPES OF LEUKEMIA
Chronic vs. acute

Chronic leukemia Acute leukemia

advances slowly and may not develops rapidly and may cause
exhibit symptoms in early stages. a sudden onset of symptoms.
Some patients may not even This type of leukemia often
know they have chronic leukemia requires immediate and
until they get a blood test. aggressive treatment.

COMMON TYPES OF CHRONIC LEUKEMIA COMMON TYPES OF ACUTE LEUKEMIA

Chronic lymphocytic Chronic myeloid leukemia Acute lymphocytic Acute myeloid leukemia
leukemia (CLL) is a (CML) is associated with an leukemia (ALL) (AML), the most common
slow-growing cancer that abnormal chromosome develops when type of acute leukemia in
begins in immune cells known as the Philadelphia abnormal white blood adults, occurs when the
called lymphocytes. These chromosome, in which cells accumulate in the bone marrow makes
cells develop in bone pieces of two bone marrow. These immature blood cells
marrow, but eventually chromosomes break off cells divide rapidly, called myeloblasts.
travel into the blood. CLL and trade places, forming replacing healthy cells Also known as acute myelogenous
develops when too many a defective gene. and, in some cases, leukemia, acute myeloblastic
leukemia, acute granulocytic
abnormal lymphocytes Also known as chronic myelogenous invade healthy organs. leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic
grow, crowding out leukemia Also known as acute leukemia
normal blood cells. lymphoblastic leukemia and acute
lymphoid leukemia

LEUKEMIA VS. LYMPHOMA

Lymphoma and leukemia, often called liquid cancers or
blood cancers, share a common origin—lymphocytes, or
white blood cells of the immune system.

Leukemia is cancer of the Lymphoma is cancer of

blood cells that usually the lymphatic system
starts in bone marrow and that usually originates
often travels through the in lymph nodes or,
bloodstream. sometimes, the spleen.

BONE MARROW LYMPH NODES

Some liquid cancers may be considered either leukemia or lymphoma,

depending on where they originate.
For instance: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic
lymphoma (SLL) affect the same kind of cells—small lymphocytes—and
are often considered different versions of the same disease.

RISK FACTORS
Not all risk factors for leukemia are known, and those
that are may vary depending on the type of leukemia.
COMMON RISK FACTORS FOR SOME
TYPES OF LEUKEMIA INCLUDE:

SYMPTOMS
RADIATION CHEMICAL
EXPOSURE EXPOSURE
• Fever • Headaches

• Chills • Frequent
infections
• Fatigue
• Easy bruising
PREVIOUS CANCER INHERITED CANCER • Weakness or bleeding
TREATMENTS SYNDROMES
• Loss of • Frequent
appetite nosebleeds
• Weight loss • Red patches
on the skin
• Night
BIRTH LEUKEMIA IN THE
sweats
DISORDERS IMMEDIATE FAMILY
(parents or siblings)

TREATMENT OPTIONS
Stem cell transplant
to help stimulate
production of healthy cells
in the bone marrow

Chemotherapy Radiation therapy

intended to kill fast to help kill cancer cells
growing cells, including that have settled in
aggressive cancer cells organs, such as the liver
or spleen

Targeted therapy Immunotherapy

to seek out and attack to help the immune
only leukemic cells system recognize and
attack cancer cells

For more information, visit cancercenter.com/leukemia

SOURCES
National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society

© 2018 IPB