Definition of leukemia: Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue, such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.
Estimated new cases of leukemia in the United States in 2016: 60,140
Leukemia, the second most common blood cancer after lymphoma, includes several diseases. The four major types are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The most common types of leukemia in adults are AML and CLL, followed by ALL and CML. Incidence rates are higher in whites than in people of other racial and ethnic groups. Leukemia is slightly more common in men than women.
Specific risk factors for leukemia depend on the type of leukemia. In general, increased risk is associated with being male, smoking, exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene, exposure toradiation, past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, having certain inherited or genetic disorders, having certain blood disorders, and having a family history of leukemia. There are no standard screening tests for leukemia. Depending on the type of leukemia, standard treatments include watchful waiting, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant.
There is no standard staging system for adult ALL.
The disease is described as untreated, in remission, or recurrent.
Untreated Adult ALL
The ALL is newly diagnosed and has not been treated except to relieve signs and symptoms such as fever, bleeding, or pain.
- The complete blood count is abnormal.
- More than 5% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells).
- There are signs and symptoms of leukemia.
Adult ALL In Remission
The ALL has been treated.
- The complete blood count is normal.
- 5% or fewer of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells).
- There are no signs or symptoms of leukemia other than in the bone marrow.
There is no standard staging system for adult AML.
The disease is described as untreated, in remission, or recurrent.
Untreated Adult AML
In untreated adult AML, the disease is newly diagnosed. It has not been treated except to relievesigns and symptoms such as fever, bleeding, or pain, and the following are true:
- The complete blood count is abnormal.
- At least 20% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells).
- There are signs or symptoms of leukemia.
Adult AML In Remission
In adult AML in remission, the disease has been treated and the following are true:
- The complete blood count is normal.
- Less than 5% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells).
- There are no signs or symptoms of leukemia in the brain and spinal cord or elsewhere in the body.
Recurrent Adult AML
Recurrent AML is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The AML may come back in the blood or bone marrow.
All information was taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute)
