Types of Leukaemia And Diagnosis

The onset of leukaemia may be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (prolonged onset) (slow onset). Cancer cells replicate rapidly in acute leukaemia. Chronic leukaemia is a slow-progressing illness with minor signs at first. Leukaemia is often graded based on the cell type.

4 Types of Leukaemia

Leukemia is divided into four types described as below -

1. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)

   Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) can occur in children and adults. According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), about 21,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed annually in the United States. This is the most common form of leukemia. The five-year survival rate for AML is 26.9 percent.

2. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

   Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) occurs mostly in children. The NCI estimates about 6,000 new cases of ALL are diagnosed annually. The five-year survival rate for ALL is 68.2 percent.

3. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

   Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) affects mostly adults. About 9,000 new cases of CML are diagnosed annually, according to the NCI. The five-year survival rate for CML is 66.9 percent.

4. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

   Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is most likely to affect people over the age of 55. It’s very rarely seen in children. According to the NCI, about 20,000 new cases of CLL are diagnosed annually. The five-year survival rate for CLL is 83.2 percent.

Hairy cell leukemia is a very rare subtype of CLL. Its name comes from the appearance of the cancerous lymphocytes under a microscope.

Diagnosis of Leukemia

• Chemotherapy is a form of treatment that uses drugs to destroy leukaemia cells. You can be given a single medication or a mixture of drugs, depending on the type of leukaemia you have.
• High-energy radiation is used in radiation therapy to kill leukaemia cells and stop them from growing. Radiation may be used to treat a single region or the whole body.
• Stem cell transplantation is a procedure that replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor or your own body. A bone marrow transplant is another name for this treatment.
• Treatments that aid the immune system in recognising and attacking cancer cells are used in biological or immunotherapy.
• Targeted therapy allows use of drugs that target cancer cells' vulnerabilities.

Treatment for leukaemia can be costly. Given the increasing cost of healthcare facilities, it is preferable to receive health insurance prior to being diagnosed with a serious illness. It makes much more sense to purchase a critical illness plan that will cover the costs of your care, particularly if you have a family history of such diseases.

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.