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Leukemia happens when there is a problem with blood cell production. It usually affects the leukocytes, or white blood cells. Leukemia more often affects people aged over 55 years, but it is also the most common cancer in those aged under 15 years. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 60,650 people in the United States will receive a diagnosis of leukemia in 2022. It also predicts that leukemia will cause 24,000 deaths in the same year. There are different types of leukemia, and the outlook depends on the type. Acute leukemia develops quickly and worsens rapidly, but chronic leukemia gets worse over time. In this article, we provide an overview of leukemia, causes, treatment, type, and symptoms. Causes Share on Pinterestsukanya sitthikongsak/Getty ImagesLeukemia develops when damage occurs to the DNA of developing blood cells, mainly white cells. This causes the blood cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. Usually, healthy blood cells die after a while, and new cells develop in the bone marrow and replace them. In leukemia, the blood cells grow too quickly, do not function effectively, and do not die at a natural point in their life cycle. Instead, they build up and occupy more space. As the bone marrow produces more cancer cells, they begin to overcrowd the blood, preventing the healthy white blood cells from growing and functioning normally. This also affects the platelets and red blood cells. Eventually, the cancerous cells outnumber healthy cells in the blood. Find out more about the role of heredity and other causes of leukemia here. Risk factors Experts often do not know why leukemia happens, but environmental and genetic factors likely play a role. While genetic features may not cause leukemia, they may make it more likely to appear in certain conditions, for example, after exposure to some chemicals or infections. Risk factors will depend on the type. Some risk factors are avoidable, but others are not. Scientists have found links between leukemia and various factors, although more research is needed to confirm most of them. They include:a history of certain infections, such as the Epstein-Barr virusexposure to ionizing radiation, for example, during radiation therapy for a previous cancer, background radiation, or being near a site where people were testing nuclear weaponshaving a high or low birth weightbeing male, as rates are higher among malesexposure to pesticides and air pollutionhaving parents who smoke tobaccohaving a cesarean delivery before labor startedhaving a genetic condition such as Down syndrome or Klinefelter syndromeexposure to benzenea previous history of chemotherapyhaving already had one type of blood cancer Does benzene exposure increase the risk of AML? What other risk factors are there? Types Doctors classify the different types of leukemia according to: the type of blood cell they start inwhether they are acute (grow quickly) or chronic (grow slowly)if they occur in a child or an adult Chronic and acute leukemias In acute leukemia, developing cells multiply quickly and collect in the marrow and blood. A blood test will show that more than 20% of blood cells are blasts. This means they are immature — having exited the bone marrow too soon — and are not functional. Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly. It allows for the production of more mature, useful cells. In a blood test, fewer than 20% of cells are blasts. Lymphocytic and myelogenous leukemias Lymphocytic leukemia occurs if cancerous changes affect the type of bone marrow that makes lymphocytes. A lymphocyte is a white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system. Myelogenous leukemia happens when the changes affect bone marrow cells that produce blood cells rather than the blood cells themselves. Common types There are several types of leukemia. They include: Acute lymphocytic leukemia Children under 5 years have the highest risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, it can also affect adults, typically over the age of 50. Around 60% of cases are in children. Read more about ALL here. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) mostly affects people over 70 years of age, but younger adults can also develop it. About 25% of new cases of leukemia are CLL. It is more common in males than in females and rarely affects children. Learn more about CLL here. Acute myelogenous leukemia Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is more common in adults than children and is more likely to affect males than females. Overall, however, it is rare. Learn more about AML here. Chronic myeloid leukemia Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) accounts for around 15% of all leukemia cases in the U.S. It is rare in children. Learn more about CML here. Hairy cell leukemia Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare type of leukemia that mostly affects adults in middle age and older. In the U.S., there are around 1,000 new cases each year. It is chronic and tends to be slow-growing. It gets its name because, under the microscope, the cancer cells have fine, hair-like strands. Find out more about HCL here. What is the difference between leukemia and lymphoma? Treatment Treatment options will depend on: the type of leukemiathe person’s agetheir overall health The treatment options a doctor may recommend include:watchful waiting for slow-growing leukemias, such as CLL and HCLchemotherapy radiation therapytargeted therapyimmunotherapybone marrow transplantsurgery to remove the spleenstem cell transplant with chemotherapy A cancer care team will tailor this to suit the type of leukemia. Treatment that starts early is more likely to be effective. Are there any natural home remedies for leukemia? Symptoms Symptoms of leukemia vary according to the type. They include the following: Easy bruising or bleeding Leukemia affects the platelets in the body, making it harder for blood to clot. A person may:bruise easily and oftenhave small wounds that bleed a lot and heal slowlyhave nosebleeds or bleeding from the gumsdevelop petechiae — tiny red spots on the skinhave purpura — purple areas on the skin Frequent infections The white blood cells are crucial for countering infection. If white blood cells do not work correctly, a person may develop frequent infections. The immune system may attack the body’s own cells. Anemia As fewer effective red blood cells become available, anemia may develop. This happens when there is not enough hemoglobin in the blood. Symptoms of anemia include: faintness and dizzinessweaknesstirednessshortness of breatha rapid heartbeatbody achespallor Other symptoms Other possible symptoms are:nauseafeverbone painweight loss The symptoms of leukemia can all occur with other conditions. Anyone who has concerns about symptoms should seek medical advice. A doctor will carry out tests to identify the cause. Find out more about the symptoms and early signs of leukemia and how early symptoms can appear in children. Diagnosis A doctor will most likely: carry out a physical examinationask about personal and family medical historycheck for signs of anemiafeel for an enlarged liver or spleentake blood for testing in a laboratory If the doctor suspects leukemia, they may suggest a bone marrow biopsy. A surgeon extracts bone marrow from the center of a bone, usually from the hip, using a long, fine needle. This can show if leukemia is present and, if so, which type. Which tests can help diagnose leukemia? Frequently asked questions People often ask the following questions about leukemia. How do you get leukemia Genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Depending on the type of leukemia, there is evidence that exposure to radiation and toxins — such as tobacco smoke and benzene — may increase the risk. Certain health conditions can also contribute. Is leukemia a serious cancer All cancer is serious and needs medical attention. There are different types of leukemia, and some progress more quickly than others. Without treatment, leukemia can be fatal, but medical progress means a person is more likely to survive with leukemia than in the past. What is the survival rate for leukemia Overall, a person with leukemia has a 65.7% chance of surviving at least another 5 years after diagnosis, according to figures from 2012–2018. For children, the rate is nearly 86%. However, the rate will vary widely, depending on the type. Children with ALL have a 90% chance of surviving at least another 5 years. Outlook The outlook for people with leukemia depends on the type. The person’s age and overall health will also play a role. A doctor cannot predict how long an individual is likely to live with leukemia, but statistics from past studies can show some trends. Treatment can lead to remission, when all the signs of leukemia have disappeared. A person will still need monitoring and tests for some time to ensure leukemia does not return. Learn more about leukemia in children here. Summary Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are various types, and some can affect children. Experts do not know exactly why leukemia happens, but genetic factors and exposure to toxins, such as pesticides, may play a role. The main treatment option is chemotherapy, but other approaches are available, depending on the type of leukemia. The survival rates for leukemia have risen significantly in recent decades. Read the article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on June 12, 2022LeukemiaLymphomaCancer / OncologyMedically reviewed by Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP — By Adam Felman — Updated on June 12, 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 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)? Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer and the most common cancer among children. 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