Leukaemia Dr Rob Hicks The term leukaemia is used to describe a number of cancers of the blood cells. There are two main types of leukaemia, acute and chronic.

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What is it? What are the symptoms?

Who's affected? What's the treatment?

Advice and support

Leukaemia affects white blood cells, which are part of the body's defence against infection. It can develop quickly (acute), or more slowly (chronic).

Depending on the type of white blood cell affected, acute leukaemia is called either acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Chronic leukaemia is called either chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).

In acute leukaemia, immature white blood cells accumulate in the body and can disrupt the function of many tissues and organs. Cells in chronic leukaemia are slightly abnormal and do not function as well as they should.

In acute leukaemia, immature white blood cells accumulate in the body and can disrupt the function of many tissues and organs. Cells in chronic leukaemia are slightly abnormal and do not function as well as they should.

Often there are no symptoms and when they do appear symptoms may be vague and non-specific, similar to a flu-like illness. Common symptoms include:

• Generalised weakness and fatigue
• Anaemia
• Frequent infections and fever
• Weight loss
• Excessive bruising or bleeding
• Pain in the bones and joints
• Breathlessness
• Enlarged lymph glands, liver and/or spleen
• Abdominal discomfort

Leukaemia is the ninth most common cancer in men in the UK and the eleventh most common cancer in women in the UK. There are about 7,000 new cases in the UK each year and more men are affected than women.

It is the most common form of childhood cancer, but is ten times more common in adults.

The incidence of acute and chronic leukaemia is about equal. Slightly more men than women develop acute leukaemia, and slightly more men than women develop CML.

The risk of developing acute leukaemia is increased by radiation exposure, smoking, previous cancer and treatment for cancer, and blood disorders that damage the bone marrow. Chemical (benzene) exposure increases the risk of AML, while not smoking reduces it.

The risk of developing CML is increased by ageing, radiation exposure, chemical (benzene) exposure.

The risk of developing CLL is increased by ageing, being male and having a member of the family affected by CLL. Avoiding exposure to benzene reduces the risk of AML and CML.

Not everyone diagnosed with leukaemia will need treatment immediately, and some patients never require treatment. However, for those who do, the earlier it begins the more effective it is.

Treatment for acute leukaemia can include chemotherapy, steroids, radiotherapy, intensive treatments (including bone marrow or stem cell implant) and growth factors.

Treatment for acute leukaemia can include chemotherapy, steroids, radiotherapy, intensive treatments (including bone marrow or stem cell implant) and growth factors (substances that stimulate the bone marrow to make blood cells). Treatment for chronic leukaemia can also include biological therapy, such as interferon alpha.

Leukaemia Research
Tel: 020 7405 0101
Email: info@lrf.org.uk
Website: www.lrf.org.uk

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006.