Leukemia survival varies greatly by type and age, but outcomes have improved significantly, with many people living long lives, especially with modern treatments; for instance, children with ALL often have 90% 5-year survival, while adults with CML can expect near-normal lifespans, though acute leukemias in adults and older individuals often have lower rates (around 25-35% for 5-year survival). Long-term survivors often live decades, but face risks like secondary cancers, requiring lifelong monitoring.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) often relapse early after the treatment course, within the first two years from the initial diagnosis [1–3]. Cases of late relapse (LR) occurring in ≥5 years from initial diagnosis have been reported infrequently [4–6].
AML life expectancy varies significantly by age and AML subtype, but generally, younger patients have better outcomes; overall 5-year survival rates hover around 30-40% for adults, with rates much lower for those over 60 and higher (65-70%) for children, though specific factors like genetics, treatment response (especially to newer drugs like venetoclax), and if it's acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) greatly influence prognosis, with APL often curable.
Research breakthroughs over the last few decades mean that the five-year survival rates for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma are over 85%. But with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), mantle cell lymphoma and myeloma, the five-year survival rate is less than 50%.
There isn't a cure for leukemia, but this doesn't mean some people don't achieve long-term remission. Being cured of leukemia means that the cancer's gone, it's not coming back and no more treatment is needed — but this is hard to know for sure with leukemia.
Acute myeloid leukemia
AML affects about 22,000 adults each year. People are usually diagnosed after age 45. AML is most common in people after age 65. Children rarely get this type of leukemia.
Treatment
Among the various types of blood cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) stands out as the most dangerous due to its rapid progression and treatment complexity. While advancements in medical research have improved treatment options, AML remains a challenging disease with a high relapse rate.
Leukemia symptoms commonly include:
In the United States, overall, 5-year survival among people diagnosed with leukemia is 67%. However, these statistics vary greatly according to the specific subtype of disease: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 5-year survival rate is 88.5%. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) 5-year survival rate is 72%.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most fatal type of leukemia. The five-year survival rate (how many people will be alive five years after diagnosis) for AML is 29.5%. Leukemia is a cancer that usually affects white blood cells, though it can start in other types of blood cells.
We report an unusual case in which complete remission of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) had lasted for almost 10 years in a patient who was 94 years and 7 months old as of September 1989. An 84 year-old man was admitted to our hospital with gingival bleeding on October 15, 1979.
So, is leukemia a hereditary disease? In most cases, the answer is no. Leukemia is largely caused by genetic mutations acquired during a person's lifetime. However, specific gene mutations can increase the likelihood of developing leukemia within families.
These treatment approaches include:
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) often develops very slowly. You might need little or no treatment. Although it is not usually curable, the disease can be under control for many years.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has five main stages:
Some people with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes have bone or joint pain. This bone pain is most often felt in the long bones of the arms and legs, in the ribs, and in the breastbone.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is often a silent disease during the initial stages, with many patients having no noticeable symptoms. CLL is commonly detected by accident when routine blood testing reveals an elevated lymphocyte count (lymphocytosis).
Corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory medications, are usually part of the chemotherapy regimen. Doctors also use medications that reach the spinal canal and the brain, such as methotrexate or cytarabine, to treat any cancer in these parts of the body or to prevent it from spreading there.
The severity of leukemia or lymphoma depends on the type and stage, so it's not possible to say that one is always worse than the other. Some forms of leukemia and lymphoma are aggressive, while others progress slowly.
The most deadly types of cancers include lung, colon, pancreatic cancer, breast, and prostate cancers. Keep in mind that estimated deaths can vary between males and females and may be affected by age and family history.
As AML progresses towards the final stages, patients may experience constant coldness, paleness, fatigue, and drowsiness. They may also begin to lose control of their bladder and bowel function. In some rare cases, the blood can become too thick due to the presence of too many cancerous cells.
Childhood leukemia was fatal for the vast majority of children who developed it in the past. Before the 1970s, fewer than 10% of children diagnosed with the disease survived five years after diagnosis. But since then, this outlook has improved dramatically. In North America and Europe, around 85% now survive that long.
Someone who has leukemia may die from different things. There may be a sudden loss of blood or a stroke, because of the inability of the blood to clot. There may be complications from low hemoglobin levels. Infection is possible.
Avoid high-fiber, spicy, fried, and high-fat foods. Choose white rice, applesauce, cooked vegetables, and low-fat meat and dairy instead.