Is leukemia hereditary Role of genetics, risk factors, and prevention Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Is leukemia hereditary Medically reviewed by Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP — By Jamie Eske — Updated on June 29, 2022Leukemia does not usually run in families, so in most cases, it is not hereditary. And while some people inherit genetic features that increase their risk, this does not mean they will develop the condition. Scientists know that genetic changes play a role in the development of leukemia, but not all genetic features are hereditary. Sometimes, a person is born with a genetic feature they have not inherited from their biological parents. This feature developed after conception but before birth. Such features may increase the risk of leukemia. Environmental and lifestyle factors can also affect someone’s genes and increase their risk. These factors include exposure to toxic chemicals and smoking. These types of genetic changes occur during a person’s lifetime, and doctors call them acquired genetic changes. While scientists have identified both acquired and inherited genetic features that occur with leukemia, they have not identified any hereditary gene that causes the disease. In most cases, it is not possible to know why leukemia occurs. This article will explore the links between leukemia, family history, and genetics. We also discuss the risk factors and tips for preventing this condition. The role of genes Share on PinterestJordi Salas/Getty ImagesLeukemia is a genetic disease but not necessarily inherited. It is a genetic disease because it relates to a person’s DNA, the material that carries genetic information. DNA determines the development, growth, and function of body cells. DNA is responsible for determining unchangeable features, such as eye and hair color, but also the continued growth and development of blood, skin, and other bodily cells. People inherit DNA, but it can also change during gestation before birth or during their lifetime. Leukemia results from changes in the DNA of bone marrow cells. It causes atypical cell development in the blood and bone marrow. Leukemia cells may prevent bone marrow from producing healthy cells. In rare cases, heredity may play a role. Familial acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an inherited form of AML. People who have familial AML may have altered CEBPA genes. Sometimes, parents pass along certain genetic mutations or inherited conditions that increase a child’s risk of developing leukemia, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Down syndrome. Types of leukemia that may occur alongside other genetic conditions include:acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)AMLmyelodysplasia (MDS)chronic myelomonocytic leukemiajuvenile myelomonocytic leukemia However, leukemia-related DNA changes usually develop after conception rather than being inherited from a parent’s genes. Exposure to radiation, chemicals, infections, and other environmental factors contribute to genetic changes that result in atypical DNA. However, in most cases, doctors do not know why leukemia occurs. Learn more about AML genetic mutations. Risk factors for leukemia Risk factors that increase a person’s chances of developing leukemia include: Genetic features Leukemia is a genetic disease that results from changes in a person’s genes. People can inherit genetic risk factors, or their genes can change because of environmental triggers. The authors of a 2019 study found that certain gene mutations, specifically FLT3-ITD and NRAS mutations, frequently appear in people with AML-M5, a type of AML that forms in immature white blood cells. Family history Inherited forms of leukemia appear to be rare. However, some subtypes of the following leukemias may be due to inherited genetic features:AMLCLLMDS There may be another inherited condition in the family with the same genetic change, such as a platelet deficiency or immune condition. Age One form of leukemia, ALL, is more common among children and teenagers than adults. The risk of developing ALL is higher during childhood but falls as people enter their 20s. It rises again after the age of 50 years. The risk of developing most cancers increases with age. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 9 out of 10 people with CLL are aged 50 years or older. Sex Males are slightly more likely to have CLL than females. ALL also occurs more often in males than females. Race The ACS notes that leukemia is more common in white Americans than in Black Americans. However, research suggests Black people may face poorer prognoses due to disparities in access to care, diagnosis, and treatment. How do racial disparities affect cancer rates and treatment for Black Americans? Other inherited genetic disorders The ACS states that the following inherited genetic syndromes may increase the risk of ALL:Down syndromeBloom syndromeKlinefelter syndromeLi-Fraumeni syndromeataxia-telangiectasianeurofibromatosisFanconi anemia Environmental exposures Exposure to environmental factors can increase the risk. Here are some factors that appear to contribute to leukemia:toxic substances, such as benzeneradiation, for example, during a nuclear accident, radiation therapy, or X-ray imagingchemotherapy Benzene is a chemical present in many products, including gasoline, glue, cleaning supplies, cigarettes, detergents, and dyes. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), benzene is in the top 20 most produced chemicals in the United States. What is the link between benzene and leukemia? Prevention tips In most cases, it is not clear why leukemia develops. However, being aware of the risk factors can help people take precautions. Here are some tips for reducing the risk:learn about risks that have links to known genetic features in the familyavoid or quit smokingavoid contact with benzene, formaldehyde, and other toxic chemicals Frequently asked questions Here are some questions people often ask about leukemia and heredity. What kind of leukemia is hereditary In rare cases, people inherit genetic traits that increase their risk of leukemia, but it does not mean they will develop it. Scientists have found genetic links to various types of this disease. However, most genetic changes that increase the risk happen during a person’s lifetime. Who is more likely to get leukemia Most cases of leukemia do not have an obvious cause, but exposure to high levels of radiation and certain toxins can increase the risk. It can also occur in people with a history of radiation therapy and chemotherapy and in those with certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome and Fanconi anemia. Is there genetic testing for leukemia Genetic testing can show doctors which kind of genetic changes are present in cancer cells, and this can help identify the type of leukemia. However, it cannot show if someone is likely to inherit or pass on the disease. In most cases, the genetic changes that occur with leukemia are not hereditary. Summary Leukemia involves atypical cell development in the blood and bone marrow. It does not usually run in families, but people can inherit genetic features that increase their risk of developing it. It is not always possible to prevent leukemia, but taking steps, such as avoiding smoking and exposure to certain toxins, may help. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022GeneticsLeukemiaCancer / OncologyPediatrics / Children's Health 11 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.Blood cancer tests. (n.d.).https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/tests-diagnosis/Do we know what causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia? (2018).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.htmlFacts about benzene. (2018).https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.aspCancer stat facts: Leukemia. (2022).https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/leuks.htmlChennamadhavuni, A., et al. (2022). Leukemia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560490/Kirtane, K., et al. (2017). Racial and ethnic disparities in hematologic malignancies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5639484/Rio-Machin, A., et al. (2020). The complex genetic landscape of familial MDS and AML reveals pathogenic germline variants.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-14829-5Risk factors for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). (2018).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlStieglitz, E., et al. (2013). Genetic predispositions to childhood leukemia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3734905/What are the risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia? (2018).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlWhat causes childhood leukemia? (2019).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-in-children/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.htmlFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP — By Jamie Eske — Updated on June 29, 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 is the difference between leukemia and lymphoma?Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH Leukemia and lymphoma are both types of blood cancer that affect white blood cells. Here, learn about the similarities and differences and the overall…READ MOREWhat to know about leukemia survival rates Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells. A person's chances of surviving leukemia depend on a variety of factors, including…READ MORE