Quick facts about leukaemia
Leukaemia develops when white blood cells, which reside in our bone marrow (the soft tissue inside our bones), grow abnormally.
Leukaemia is classified based on whether it is acute or chronic. Acute leukaemia develops and progresses rapidly, while chronic leukaemia appears gradually and grows slowly over months to years.
Types of leukaemia
There are four main types of leukaemia, depending on the type of white blood cell that is affected (either myeloid or lymphoid) and whether the cancer is fast growing (acute) or relatively slow growing (chronic):
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
ALL develops from immature lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. ALL progresses quickly and most commonly occurs in children under the age of four.
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Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
AML develops from immature white blood cells called myeloblasts. It is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults.
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Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
CLL develops from abnormal white blood cells known as lymphocytes and is often very slow growing.
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Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
CML develops from a type of myeloid cell called granulocytes. It typically grows slowly in the early phases but can transform into acute leukaemia.
Learn moreSigns and symptoms of leukaemia
While people with leukaemia may have mild symptoms, these can worsen over time to include:
Ongoing fatigue/tiredness
Pale complexion
Repeated infections such as mouth sores, sore throat, fevers, infected cuts, etc.
Losing weight without trying
Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
Easy bleeding or bruising
Recurrent nosebleeds
Treatment for leukaemia
There are many different types of treatment for leukaemia. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.
Frequently asked questions
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