Types of Leukemia

Four Main Types of Leukemia

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

If you have ALL, the cancer affects the lymphocyte cells, white blood cells that normally help fight infections. The bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes, and they end up crowding out other blood cells. (2)

ALL is an acute cancer, which means it grows quickly. The leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain, or spinal cord, and in men, the testicles. (3)

ALL is rare in adults, affecting only about 3,000 adults in the United States each year. But it accounts for about 75 percent of childhood leukemias, making it the most common form of cancer in children. (4) Children younger than 5 have the greatest risk for developing ALL. (5)

Children with ALL usually respond better to treatment than adults do. In fact, most deaths from ALL happen in adults. (5)

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

AML affects a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells.

This type of cancer is sometimes referred to as acute myeloid leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

This type of leukemia occurs in both children and adults. (5) It’s the most common acute leukemia in adults. The average age of someone with AML is around 68 years old. There are about 20,000 new cases of AML each year in the United States. The cancer is typically fast-growing and requires prompt treatment. (6,9)

AML accounts for about 19 percent of childhood leukemias. Children with certain genetic conditions, such as Fanconi anemia, Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome, and Kostmann syndrome, are more likely to develop AML than other kids. (2)

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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

CLL affects lymphocyte cells. It’s typically a very slow-growing cancer. It’s commonly discovered on a blood test done for other reasons, as many people with CLL don’t have symptoms for years. In some cases, CLL progresses very quickly.

CLL most often affects older adults and rarely impacts children. The average age of diagnosis is about 70 years old.

Each year, there are about 18,000 new cases of CLL in the United States.

There are several effective treatment options for people with CLL. Sometimes, a “watch and wait” approach is taken if the cancer is extremely slow growing. (7,13)