Leukemia survival rates by age: Is it curable? 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The chances of survival depend on various factors, including a person’s age and response to treatment. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be around 60,650 new cases of leukemia in the United States in 2022, resulting in 24,000 deaths. There are many different types of leukemia. Which type a person develops depends on which white blood cells are affected, as well as some other factors. Leukemia can prevent white blood cells from fighting infections and cause them to multiply uncontrollably. This overgrowth can cause overcrowding of the healthy blood cells, leading to severe problems throughout the body. Leukemia can either be acute or chronic. Acute describes when white blood cells are less mature, develop quickly, and become dysfunctional cells known as blasts. Chronic refers to when the white blood cells develop slower, which can result in symptoms not being noticeable for many years. This article discusses the survival rate of leukemia, including factors that may impact the rate. What is the first stage of leukemia Share on PinterestMireya Acierto/Getty ImagesUnlike many other cancers, doctors do not use standard staging methods, such as the TNM system, to stage leukemia. Instead, a doctor will first determine the subtype of leukemia through diagnostic tests and then use a unique system for each subtype. The staging is as follows:Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): The staging method for this subtype of leukemia is based on the type of lymphocyte and the maturity of the cells.Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML): Also known as acute myeloid leukemia, doctors stage AML using the French-American-British (FAB) system. This system accounts for the number of healthy blood cells, the size and number of leukemia cells, changes in the chromosomes of the leukemia cells, and other genetic changes. The World Health Organization (WHO) also developed a separate classification system for AML.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): In the U.S., doctors typically use the Rai system to stage CLL. This system mainly considers the number of lymphocytes in the blood, enlargement of the lymph nodes, spleen, or liver, and the presence of anemia or thrombocytopenia. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML): Also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, doctors stage CML based on the number of diseased cells present in blood and bone marrow tests. Survival rate by age The latest figures show that the 5-year survival rate for all subtypes of leukemia is 65.7%. A 5-year survival rate looks at how many people are still alive 5 years after their diagnosis. Leukemia is most common in older adults, with incidence rates rising sharply from around 55 years. In the United Kingdom, between 2016–2018, roughly 4 in 10 new cases were in individuals aged 75 and over. The highest rates occur in people in the 85–89 age group. It is also one of the most common cancers for people under age 20. The survival rate is higher for younger people. According to the National Cancer Institute, the percentage of deaths by age group are as follows:Age group% of deathsUnder 202.020–342.435–442.345–544.855–6412.165–7423.975–8430.0>8422.6 Factors that affect survival rate A range of factors may affect a person’s chance of surviving leukemia. These include:agetime of diagnosisprogression and spread of the cancertype of leukemiaa family history of blood conditions and leukemiathe extent of bone damageexposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene and some petrochemicalsexposure to certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapychromosome mutationsthe body’s response to treatmentblood cell counttobacco use Can leukemia be cured While there is currently no cure for leukemia, it is possible to treat the cancer to prevent it from coming back. Treatment success depends on a range of factors. Treatment can include:chemotherapyradiation therapystem cell transplantantibiotics Treatment can last several months or even years, depending on the type and severity of the condition. Seeking support for leukemia Receiving a leukemia diagnosis is life changing and challenging for both an individual and their loved ones. It is common to feel a mixture of emotions after a cancer diagnosis, but everybody reacts differently in these situations. Some may try to put on a brave appearance to protect their loved ones, while others will openly seek support. It is essential to remember that support is available for everyone from a wide range of sources, including:Oncology care team: Asking questions about leukemia, its symptoms, treatment options, stages, and survival rates can help a person understand their condition.Friends and family: Friends and family can provide intimate and emotional support. They can also help a person with everyday tasks that may become too difficult due to leukemia symptoms or treatment.Support groups: These groups are helpful for people to meet others who can offer advice and support from their own lived experience or expertise. Support groups exist for both people with leukemia and their loved ones.Charities: Organizations, such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, are dedicated to providing support to people with a cancer diagnosis. There may also be local charities and online resources that can help a person understand and manage their condition. Last medically reviewed on July 19, 2022LeukemiaCancer / OncologyPediatrics / Children's Health 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults. (n.d.).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-myeloid-leukemia.htmlCancer staging. (2022).https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/staging.htmlCancer stat facts: Leukemia. (n.d.).https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/leuks.htmlHow is chronic lymphocytic leukemia staged? (2018).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.htmlLeukemia. (n.d.).https://www.lls.org/leukemia?src1=27336&src2=Leukaemia (all subtypes combined) incidence statistics. (n.d.).https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/leukaemia/incidence#:~:text=Age%2Dspecific%20incidence%20rates%20fall,males%20in%20most%20age%20groups.Stages of leukemia. (n.d).https://moffitt.org/cancers/leukemia/diagnosis/stagesTalking time: Support for people with cancer. (2019).https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/taking-timeFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP — By Aaron Kandola — Updated on July 20, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the symptoms of leukemia?Medically reviewed by Yamini Ranchod, PhD, MS Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. 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