Chronic and Acute

Leukemia is clinically and pathologically subdivided into four large groups, each of which can be Acute—a rapidly progressing disease resulting in the accumulation of immature, useless cells in the marrow or blood, or Chronic—slow progressing disease that allows some mature, useful cells to be made.

Acute leukemia is characterized by the rapid increase of abnormal immature blood cell. This crowding makes the bone marrow unable to produce healthy normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Anemia (a lack of red blood cells) develops in virtually all leukemia patients. Lacking healthy white blood cells impairs the body to fight infection, and a shortage of platelets results in easy bruising and bleeding.

Chronic leukemia is distinguished by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, blood cells. Typically taking month or even years to progress, the cells produced do not multiply as quickly and usually carry out some of their normal functions. Only gradually do conditions worsen; as the number of abnormal cells increase do symptoms appear.

Lymphocytic and Myelogenous

Different forms of leukemia are subdivided into the type of affected blood cell. If the cancerous cells start in the marrow that makes lymphocytes and the disease is called lymphocytic leukemia. A lymphocyte is a kind of white blood cell inside your vertebrae immune system.

When the cancerous change occurs in marrow cells that go on to produce red blood cells, other types of white blood cells, and platelets, the disease is called myelogenous leukemia.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) ALL is most common type of leukemia among children, mtrost commonly occurring around 4-12 years of age, and another peak in old age (65 years and older). The relative survival rate for this type of leukemia for children is 85%, and about 50% of adults. The following are all subtypes of this leukemia: precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, precursor T acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Burkitt’s leukemia, and acute biphenotypic leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) AML is the second most common type of leukemia in children but is more common in adults, affecting males significantly more often than females. 40% of patients treated with chemotherapy survive over 5 years. AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults, and its incidence increases with age. The following are subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia: acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) CLL is the most common leukemia among adults over the age of 55, and although it sometimes occurs in younger adults, it almost never affects children. The majority of patients affected are men, over 60%. 75% of treated CLL patients survive over five or more years. CLL is incurable. A more a aggressive form of CLL is B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) A vast majority of CML patients are adults, and 90% of treated patients survive over 5 years. Gleevec (imatinib) is commonly used to treat CML, and most patients with CML develop AML.