Leukemia (ALL, AML, CLL, CML)
Overview
Leukemia is a group of blood cancers that originate in the bone marrow and involve the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. It is classified by speed of progression (acute vs chronic) and cell type (lymphoid vs myeloid):
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Rapid progression, common in children
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Rapid progression, more common in adults
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Slow-growing, affects older adults
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Slow-progressing, characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome
Symptoms
- Fatigue and weakness
- Frequent infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Fever or night sweats
- Swollen lymph nodes, liver, or spleen
- Bone or joint pain
- Pale skin
Causes & Risk Factors
- Genetic disorders (e.g., Down syndrome)
- Previous chemotherapy or radiation
- Exposure to benzene or certain chemicals
- Family history of leukemia
- Smoking (especially linked to AML)
Diagnosis
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Flow cytometry and cytogenetic testing
- PCR for genetic abnormalities (e.g., BCR-ABL in CML)
- Lumbar puncture (ALL, to assess CNS involvement)
Treatment Options
- Chemotherapy (mainstay for ALL and AML)
- Targeted therapy (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors for CML)
- Immunotherapy (CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed ALL/CLL)
- Bone marrow or stem cell transplant
- Watchful waiting (early-stage CLL in selected patients)
Prognosis
- Varies by subtype, genetic profile, and patient age:
- ALL: >90% cure rate in children
- AML: 25–50% long-term survival in adults
- CLL: often indolent; median survival varies
- CML: excellent prognosis with TKI therapy
Living with this Cancer Type
- Long-term follow-up and blood monitoring
- Infection prevention and vaccinations
- Nutritional and psychosocial support
- Management of fatigue and treatment side effects
Prevention & Screening
- No standard screening
- Avoid known carcinogens (e.g., benzene)
- Genetic counseling for families with inherited predisposition
FAQs
Q: Can leukemia be cured?
A: Some types, like childhood ALL and CML, have high cure or long-term control rates.
Q: Is leukemia hereditary?
A: Most cases are not, though some syndromes increase risk.
Q: How long does treatment last?
A: Acute leukemias may require intensive treatment for months; chronic leukemias are often managed long term.
Resources
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
- Childhood Leukemia Foundation
Understand Precision Testing
Learn how liquid biopsy and chemo sensitivity testing can personalize your treatment plan.
Make Informed Decisions
Gain knowledge to actively participate in treatment discussions with your healthcare team.
Improve Treatment Outcomes
Discover how precision medicine and metabolic therapies can enhance treatment effectiveness.
Start Your Educational Journey Today
Empower yourself with knowledge about precision metabolic oncology and take an active role in your cancer care journey.
Need More Information?
Our team of oncology experts is here to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options.