Also called: CLL, CML
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection. Your blood cells form in your bone marrow. In leukemia, however, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, making it hard for blood to do its work.
Leukemia can develop quickly or slowly. Acute leukemia develops quickly. Chronic leukemia develops slowly. It usually occurs during or after middle age. At first, the abnormal cells still function. Eventually, however, the disease gets worse. It might cause
Infections
Fever
Weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes
Tiredness
You can often control chronic leukemia, but it is hard to cure. You might not need immediate treatment if you don't have symptoms. Treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy, surgery or stem cell transplantation.
National Cancer Institute
Start Here
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
Also available in Spanish
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
Also available in Spanish
Leukemia(Patient Education Institute)
Also available in Spanish
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection. Your blood cells form in your bone marrow. In leukemia, however, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, making it hard for blood to do its work.
Leukemia can develop quickly or slowly. Acute leukemia develops quickly. Chronic leukemia develops slowly. It usually occurs during or after middle age. At first, the abnormal cells still function. Eventually, however, the disease gets worse. It might cause
Infections
Fever
Weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes
Tiredness
You can often control chronic leukemia, but it is hard to cure. You might not need immediate treatment if you don't have symptoms. Treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy, surgery or stem cell transplantation.
National Cancer Institute
Start Here
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
Also available in Spanish
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
Also available in Spanish
Leukemia(Patient Education Institute)
Also available in Spanish
