Acute leukemia can occur at any age, but it is most often seen in children. It accounts for about half of all leukemia cases. Chronic leukemia occurs most often in adults, but can occur at any age. It accounts for about half of all leukemia cases. Leukemia, like other cancers, is a disease of the body's cells.
All cells reproduce themselves by dividing.
Normal growth and repair of body tissues take place in this orderly manner. When cell division is not orderly, abnormal growth takes place. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Made in the bone marrow, they number several million in each drop of blood. In leukemia, the red cell count drops, robbing the body of necessary oxygen.