Beating leukemia varies greatly, from months for aggressive acute types to years for slower chronic forms, with typical acute treatment phases lasting 2-3 years, but outcomes depend heavily on the specific type, age, genetics, and treatment response, with 5-year survival rates ranging from around 30% (AML) to over 80% (CLL).
Standard ALL treatment usually takes between 2 to 3 years. The maintenance phase takes up most of this time as it lasts 2 years. During the maintenance phase people often go back to work or college. If you have a stem cell or bone marrow transplant the treatment time is shorter but more intensive.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 5-year survival rate is 88.5%. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) 5-year survival rate is 72%. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) 5-year survival rate is 70%. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) 5-year survival rate is 31.9%.
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.
Treatment for leukaemia aims to achieve remission. Remission means that no leukaemic cells can be found in the blood or bone marrow and the bone marrow is working normally again. In people treated for acute leukaemia, remission may last many years, and then they are considered cured.
Treatment
Most people with leukemia are over 60. Although you can develop it at any time of life, most types are rarely diagnosed in people under 40.
How leukemia forms. In general, leukemia is thought to occur when some blood cells acquire changes (mutations) in their genetic material or DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. Normally, the DNA tells the cell to grow at a set rate and to die at a set time.
Recommendations for Preventing Leukemia
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.
Leukemia symptoms commonly include:
Protecting your skin from the sun is always important – but if you're having treatment for blood cancer, or you've finished treatment in the last few years, it's a must. Treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapies and radiotherapy can make your skin more sensitive to damage from the sun.
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.
Age – Generally speaking, individuals over the age of 65 are more at risk for leukemia. Demographics – While anyone can conceivably develop leukemia, white males are statistically most susceptible. Radiation exposure – Exposure to radiation from an atomic bomb increases the likelihood that leukemia cells will form.
The Biggest Indicator of Leukemia: Persistent Abnormal Blood Counts. One of the most significant signs of leukemia is persistent abnormal blood counts. These changes can affect different parts of the blood. It's important to understand these changes early for treatment.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has five main stages:
Intensive chemotherapy
If you can have intensive induction chemotherapy, you'll be given chemotherapy medicine at a high dose to kill the cancerous cells in your blood and bone marrow. You'll usually be given a combination of 2 or more chemotherapy medicines.
Peptide and cellular vaccines have been developed against tumor-specific and leukemia-associated self-antigens. Although not yet considered the standard of care, leukemia vaccines continue to show promising results in the management of the myeloid leukemias.
It can help you recover from treatment, reduce fatigue and boost your mood and well-being. Anyone can get more active – You don't have to go running or do high intensity workouts. Walking, gardening and DIY all count as exercise.
Leukemia risk factors that can be controlled
Exposure to tobacco smoke – Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke. Exposure to certain chemicals – Avoiding petrochemicals such as benzene, which is found in tobacco smoke, gasoline and some industrial chemicals.
Stages of Chronic Leukemia
Stage 1 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and enlarged lymph nodes. Stage 2 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and is anemic. He or she may also have enlarged lymph nodes. Stage 3 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and is anemic.
What is Leukemia (Blood Cancer)? Leukemia starts in the soft, inner part of the bones (bone marrow), but often moves quickly into the blood. It can then spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system, and other organs.
Clinical studies suggest that stress-related biobehavioral factors can accelerate progression of hematopoietic cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but it is unclear whether such effects are causal or what biological pathways mediate such effects.
Most types of leukemia are slightly more common in males than in females.
Acute leukemias