This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on July 20, 2022.
Leukemia is the 10th-most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. But leukemia isn’t just one disease—many types of leukemia originate in different parts of the blood stream and affect different types of blood cells. Also, some leukemias are regarded as acute, meaning they may require aggressive treatments. Others are considered chronic, which means they are slow to develop and may require a less aggressive treatment plan.
Considering the complexities of leukemia, it is important to consult with an experienced team of doctors and clinicians trained to accurately diagnose the disease and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
At City of Hope, our medical oncologists, hematologist-oncologists and other experts have years of experience delivering the standard-of-care and precision cancer treatments available to treat leukemia. Our whole-person care model is also designed to support patients throughout their treatment journey, offering supportive care services to help them manage side effects, such as pain, fatigue and weight loss, and maintain their quality of life.
This overview will cover the basic facts about leukemia, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of leukemia and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion for your leukemia diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
Leukemia is cancer that forms in blood-forming tissue. The disease is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells in the bone marrow. White blood cells are a fundamental component of the body’s immune response. Leukemia cells crowd out and replace normal blood and marrow cells.
The exact cause of leukemia isn’t known, but researchers believe the disease develops due to mutations in the DNA of certain blood cells, caused by other genetic or environmental factors.
Although many types of leukemia exist, some affect adults more commonly than others. Some risk factors for leukemias that most commonly affect adults include:
In the United States, an estimated 62,770 Americans will be diagnosed with leukemia in 2024, according to the American Cancer Society. Leukemia is diagnosed more often in men than in women. Although people of any age can develop the disease, it is common in adults over 65 years old.
"There is so much more to the experience of City of Hope than just the treatment. Some people have asked me why I travel for treatment, why I don’t just go somewhere local. Doesn’t it make life complicated? No, it doesn’t. City of Hope takes the worry away. Scheduling, appointments, all of these details are taken care of. My response when people ask me about the inconvenience of traveling for treatment is that all I need to do is get there and get myself home. City of Hope takes care of everything else."
Leukemia is categorized by the type of white blood cells affected and by how quickly the disease grows.
Types of leukemia include:
The symptoms of leukemia generally depend on the type of leukemia, how quickly it grows and at what stage the disease is diagnosed. Many signs of leukemia resemble flu-like symptoms.
Common leukemia symptoms include:
Diagnosing leukemia generally involves examining cells from the blood and bone marrow. Diagnostic tests for leukemia often include:
Treatments for leukemia vary widely depending on the type of cancer diagnosed and the stage of the disease. Some treatments, such as targeted therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may be recommended either alone or in combination. Our multidisciplinary team of leukemia experts will answer your questions and recommend treatment options based on your unique diagnosis and needs.
Treatment options may include:
At City of Hope, we treat leukemia with standard-of-care and evidence-based treatments and technology, while also helping patients maintain their quality of life with an integrative, whole-person approach to care.
The symptoms of leukemia, such as fatigue, loss of appetite and bone or joint pain, and the side effects of treatment may require supportive care to help you maintain your strength and quality of life. At City of Hope, a multidisciplinary team of cancer experts will work together to treat the disease while also offering a variety of supportive care therapies to help you manage your side effects, so you can feel better while getting better.
Because your care team works all under one roof, you have access to a team of physicians, practitioners and support staff who can tailor treatments and supportive therapies to your specific needs, in real time, collaborating on any adjustments needed to your care plan
Supportive care therapies that may be recommended to help patients with leukemia stay strong and maintain their quality of life include:
