Leukemia is labeled as either acute or chronic based on how fast the disease progresses. It's also categorized as either lymphoid or myeloid, depending on what @type of blood cell has turned into cancer.
Cancer that begins in the lymphoid cells may be called lymphoid, lymphocytic or lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer that begins in the myeloid cells may be called myeloid, myelogenous or myeloblastic leukemia.
There are 4 main @types of leukemia:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): Also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL occurs when the body produces a large number of immature lymphocytes. The cancer cells grow quickly and replace normal cells in the bone marrow. ALL prevents healthy blood cells from being made. Life-threatening symptoms can occur.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): This cancer, also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, starts inside bone marrow and grows from cells that would normally turn into white blood cells. AML is one of the most common @types of leukemia among adults.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): CLL causes a slow increase in a certain @type of white blood cells called B lymphocytes, or B cells. Cancer cells spread through the blood and bone marrow. CLL can also affect the lymph nodes or other organs such as the liver and spleen and can eventually cause the bone marrow to lose its function.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): CML causes an uncontrolled growth of immature and mature cells that make a certain @type of white blood cell called myeloid cells. The diseased cells build up in the bone marrow and blood. It may also be referred to as chronic myelogenous leukemia.
There are several other sub@types of leukemia, as well as related blood disorders. Our experts treat all of these conditions.