The different types of leukemia are classified according to how quickly the disease tends to progress and based on type of white cell affected.

Acute leukemia is rapidly progressing diseases, usually requiring immediate treatment.

Chronic leukemia has 2 phases, gradual and acute.

• During the gradual phase, which may last for years, symptoms often do not occur, and treatment may be unnecessary.
• The symptoms and rapid progress of the acute phase of chronic leukemia resemble those of the acute leukemia.

Acute and chronic leukemias are further distinguished by the type of white cell affected to:

• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): affect myelocytes.
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): affect myelocytes.
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): affect lymphocytes.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): affect lymphocytes.
• Hairy Cell Leukemia: is a rare chronic leukemia marked by the production of abnormal lymphocytes with irregular hair-like protrusions.

• General feeling of poor health.
• Fever and night sweats.
• Severe fatigue.
• Pallor.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Headaches and seizures.

No symptoms associated with the early stages of the chronic leukemia

The cause of leukemia is unknown.

The following factors may increase the risk of leukemia:

• Hereditary factors.
• Exposure to some industrial chemicals, such as benzene, a petroleum derivative.
• Prolonged exposure to x-rays or radiation.
• Chemotherapy, such as the alkylating agents, mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, and busulfan,
• The human T-cell leukemia virus is involved in a rare type of leukemia known as adult T-cell leukemia

There is no way to prevent leukemia, but limited exposure to toxic chemicals, as well as to x-rays and other forms of radiation can help.

Examination of the number of red cells, platelets, and different types of white cells in the blood.

Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy. A sample of bone marrow is usually taken from the pelvic bone.

Cytological (cell) studies are performed to determine the presence of the chromosome abnormalities.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) and treatment options depend on:

• The age of the patient.
• The subtype of leukemia.
• Whether the patient received chemotherapy in the past to treat a different cancer.
• Whether there is a history of a blood disorder.
• Whether the cancer has spread to the central nervous system.
• Whether the cancer has been treated before or recurred.

There are 3 types of standard treatment used:

Chemotherapy: Can be a single or group of medications that you receive during your illness to destroy cancer cells in your body.

Bone marrow transplant:

• Bone marrow transplant is a method of giving chemotherapy and replacing blood-forming cells that are abnormal or destroyed by the cancer treatment.
• Stem cells (immature cells) are removed from the blood or bone marrow of the patient or from a donor.
• After the chemotherapy is completed, the stem cells are infused into the blood. These infused stem cells will move to the bone marrow and grow as new cells.

Targeted therapy

• Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses medications or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
• “Monoclonal antibody therapy” is one type of targeted therapy being studied in the treatment of adult Leukemia.
• Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors are standard treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

You will need regular checkups after treatment. Your doctor will watch your recovery closely and check for recurrence of the leukemia.

Checkups help make sure that any changes in your health are noted and treated as needed. Checkups may include a physical exam, lab tests, and bone marrow aspiration.

Between scheduled visits, you should contact the doctor right away if you have any health problem.