White blood cells, which help the body fight infection, develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. There are two types of stem cells that can form white blood cells – lymphoid stem cells and myeloid stem cells. Leukaemia occurs when abnormal cells within the bone marrow grow in an uncontrolled way, affecting either of these white cell lines.
Under normal conditions the bone marrow contains a small number of immature cells, called blast cells, which develop into mature white cells, red cells and platelets before being released into the bloodstream.
In people with acute leukaemia, the diseased bone marrow produces an excessive number of abnormal blast cells, called leukaemic cells. These cells accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. Leukaemia can either be acute or chronic; acute leukaemia develops and progresses quickly and therefore needs to be treated as soon as it is diagnosed.
Different types of leukaemia are named after the cells that are affected, and how quickly the abnormal cells grow: Acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) affects lymphoid stem cells and grows quickly.
Acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) affects lymphoid stem cells and grows quickly.
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Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) affects lymphoid stem cells and usually grows slowly; it is the most common type of leukaemia in adults.
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Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) affects myeloid stem cells and grows quickly.
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Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) affects myeloid stem cells and grows slowly.
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A number of tests will be performed to investigate symptoms of leukaemia and confirm a diagnosis. Some of the more common tests include:
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Treatment for leukaemia depends on the type of leukaemia, the severity of symptoms and the person’s general health. Treatment options can include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or targeted therapies to destroy cancer cells. Some patients may be offered a stem cell transplant.
For many people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, treatment may not be required at diagnosis and for some patients they never require therapy.
Research is ongoing to find new ways to diagnose and treat different types of cancer. Some people may be offered the option of participation in a clinical trial to test new ways of treating leukaemia.
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