There Are Many Types of Leukemia Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Leukemia Types of Leukemia There s More Than One Variety of This Blood Disease Not all leukemias are the same. The cancer is divided into different types, depending on the blood cells it affects and how fast it progresses. By Julie Lynn MarksMedically Reviewed by Krystal Cascetta, MDReviewed: May 29, 2018Medically ReviewedChronic lymphocytic leukemia (left) and acute myelogenous leukemia (right) are two of the four main types of leukemia. Getty Images; ThinkstockNot all leukemias are the same. The cancer is divided into different types, depending on the blood cells it affects and how fast it progresses. The main types of leukemia include:Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) There are also other rare forms of the disease. Some types of leukemia are more difficult to treat than others. Your doctor will run tests to determine what kind you have. (1) Four Main Types of Leukemia Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia If you have ALL, the cancer affects the lymphocyte cells, which normally help fight infections. The bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes, and they end up crowding out other blood cells. (2) ALL is an acute cancer, which means it grows quickly. The leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain, or spinal cord, and in men, the testicles. (3) ALL is rare in adults, affecting only about 3,000 adults in the United States each year. (4) It’s the most common form of cancer in children, however. Children younger than 5 have the greatest risk for developing ALL. (5) About 75 percent of childhood leukemias are this type. (4) Many people with ALL have chromosomal abnormalities. (2) Children with ALL usually respond better to treatment than adults do. In fact, most deaths from ALL happen in adults. (5) Acute Myelogenous Leukemia AML affects a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells. This type of cancer is sometimes referred to as acute myeloid leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. There are several subtypes of AML. The cancer is typically fast growing and requires prompt treatment. (6) This type of leukemia occurs in both children and adults. It’s the most common acute leukemia in adults. The average age of someone with AML is around 68 years old. There are about 19,520 new cases of AML each year in the United States. (5) AML accounts for about 19 percent of childhood leukemias. Children with certain genetic conditions, such as Fanconi anemia, Down’s syndrome, Bloom syndrome, and Kostmann syndrome, are more likely to develop AML than other kids. (2) RELATED: 10 Essential Facts About Leukemia Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia CLL affects lymphocyte cells. It’s typically a very slow-growing cancer, and many people with CLL don’t have symptoms for years. But there’s also a form of CLL that progresses more quickly. CLL most often affects older adults and rarely impacts children. The average age of diagnosis is about 70 years old. (5) Each year, there are about 20,940 new cases of CLL in the United States. (5) There are several effective treatment options for people with CLL. Sometimes, a “watch and wait” approach is taken if the cancer is extremely slow growing. (7) Sponsored Advertising Content How I Took an Active Role in My Blood Cancer TreatmentWhen my cancer treatment prevented me from continuing to do the activities I enjoyed, I knew I had to talk to my doctor about other options.…Learn More Chronic Myelogenous LeukemiaCML, which is also called chronic granulocytic leukemia, starts in the myeloid cells. This rarer type of leukemia typically grows slowly, but sometimes CML can transform into a fast-growing, acute form of leukemia. (8) It usually affects older adults and is very uncommon in children. The average age of someone diagnosed with CML is 64. (9) About 8,430 new cases of CML are diagnosed each year. (9) CML is different than other types of leukemia because it’s associated with an abnormal chromosome known as the Philadelphia chromosome. The cancer develops when genetic material is exchanged between chromosomes 9 and 22. (10) Less Common Types of Leukemia Other, rarer forms of leukemia or related blood cancers include these conditions:Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) This cancer affects the lymphocytes and tends to grow slowly. It gets its name because the cells look hairy under a microscope. About 2 percent of all leukemias are HCL. Treatment for HCL is usually successful.Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) MDS is a group of diseases that cause the bone marrow to produce too few normal blood cells. In the past, MDS was considered a preleukemia. Now it’s labeled as a form of cancer. In 1 in 3 people with MDS, the cancer will progress to a fast-growing AML.Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) MPNs occur when a person’s bone marrow makes too many blood cells. There are several types of MPNs, including polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia, and eosinophilia. (11) Finding Out What Type You Have If you experience signs and symptoms of leukemia, your doctor might recommend certain exams to see what’s going on. If you do have a blood cancer, your physician will run additional tests to identify what type of leukemia you have. Blood work can tell a doctor a lot about a cancer. Your clinician will examine the amount, size, shape, and patterns of your blood cells to help classify them. Other tests can help identify the type of leukemia you have, too:A physical examA bone marrow testImaging scansA spinal tapLymph node biopsyChromosome tests These screening tools can assist your healthcare provider in determining how the cancer has progressed and how aggressive it is. (12) Why Leukemia Type Matters Each form of leukemia attacks the body in a slightly different way. Some will target different cells than others. Certain types are fast growing, while others progress slowly. Knowing your type of leukemia can help you and your doctor come up with an individualized and effective treatment plan. This information can also give you a better idea of what your outlook will be. Once you know the type of leukemia you have, ask your doctor for resources on how to find accurate information. Being knowledgeable about the cancer you have can help you make informed decisions. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking Leukemia. Mayo Clinic. March 13, 2018.Types of Leukemia. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.If You Have Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). American Cancer Society. March 31, 2016.Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Key Statistics for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. American Cancer Society. January 4, 2018.Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Mayo Clinic. December 27, 2017.Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. January 27, 2017.Key Statistics for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. American Cancer Society. January 4, 2018.Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN). Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterHow Is Childhood Leukemia Diagnosed? American Cancer Society. 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