Leukemia

Leukemia is a broad term that describes cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.

There are many types of leukemia. While it is one of the most common cancers in children, leukemia actually occurs more frequently in older adults.

PEN has content for these types of leukemia:

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Other leukemias are:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a kind of blood cancer that happens when the body makes too many bad white blood cells. These cells are called lymphoblasts, and they don’t work like they should. They grow fast and push out the healthy cells that help your body fight germs, stop bleeding, and carry oxygen. ALL starts in the bone marrow, which is the soft part inside your bones where blood cells are made. It is the most common kind of cancer in children, but adults can get it too.

• Signs of ALL:
  • Feeling very tired
  • Getting sick a lot
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Pain in bones or joints
  • Swollen belly or neck
• Treatment: Doctors use strong medicine called chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells. Sometimes other treatments like radiation or a bone marrow transplant are needed too. With the right treatment, many kids with ALL get better and stay healthy.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a kind of blood cancer that happens when the body makes too many white blood cells called myeloid cells. These cells grow too fast and don’t work the right way. Over time, they can crowd out the healthy blood cells your body needs. CML usually grows slowly at first, so some people don’t feel sick right away. It mostly happens in adults, but children can get it too.

• Signs of CML:
  • Feeling tired
  • Getting sick more often
  • Feeling full without eating much
  • Pain or pressure in the left side of the belly (where the spleen is)
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
• Treatment: CML is often treated with targeted medicine that goes after the cancer cells. These pills can help people live a long time. Some people may also need chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant. Doctors check blood often to see how the medicine is working. Most people with CML can live well for many years with treatment.

For more information about these types of leukemia, please visit the organizations listed below.