Types
There are basically two types of lekemia, acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia generally progresses very quickly and spreads through the body within a matter of weeks whereas chronic leukemia generally progresses more slowly over a period of years.
There are many types of acute and chronic leukemia but the four ones that are found to affect most people are:
1. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
2. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
3. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
4. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia:
Acute myelogenous leukemia is usually seen in people who are over 65 years of age. The condition is generally more prevalent in men than in women and is believed to be caused due to smoking or exposure to dangerous chemicals. However these are only possibilities as the exact cause of AML is generally not known. In AML, as the condition advances rapidly it is essential that treatment is carried out as soon as the condition is diagnosed. Symptoms would include a feeling on constant tiredness, low appetite, and easy injury or bleeding.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia is usually seen amongst children between the ages of 2 and 5. Symptoms may include back pain, joint pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. In some cases ALL may even cause contraction of the superior vena cava which is responsible for sending blood from the head and arms to the heart. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can therefore be life threatening and can lead to paralysis of the cranial nerves. However fortunately nearly 70% to 80% of individuals diagnosed with this condition recover from it completely
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia:
Unlike acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelegenous leukemia is more common in women than in men. The condition is generally in adults over the age of 60 and is very uncommon in children. CML would produc symptoms such as tiredness, night sweats, lack of hunger, and bone pain. CML is generally treated by chemotherapy or radiation but unfortunately no cure for CML has been formulated yet.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most commonly seen types of leukemia and is more common in men over the age of 60. Symptoms caused by CLL are swelling of the spleen and lymph glands, frequent infections, poor appetite and weight loss. Althoiugh patients affected with CLL are treated with chemotherapy, complete remission of the disease is quite rare.
