Blood, immune & lymphCancerICD-10 C91–C95
Leukaemia
Also called: Leukemia, ALL, AML, CLL, CML
Cancers of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. Acute leukaemias progress rapidly; chronic forms develop slowly.
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Causes
- Genetic mutations in blood stem cells (e.g. BCR-ABL in CML)
Risk factors
- Previous chemotherapy or radiation
- Benzene
- Smoking
- Down syndrome
Symptoms
- Fatigue and pallor
- Frequent infections
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Fever and night sweats
- Bone pain
- Swollen lymph nodes or spleen
Diagnosis — tests and examinations
- Full blood count and blood film
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Flow cytometry and genetic testing
Treatment
Medicines and medical treatment
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies (imatinib for CML, venetoclax, BTK inhibitors for CLL)
- Immunotherapy and CAR-T cells
Operations and procedures
- Allogeneic stem cell transplant
Self-care, home remedies and lifestyle
- Infection precautions during treatment
Possible complications
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Tumour lysis syndrome
Prevention
- Avoid benzene and smoking
Outlook
Childhood ALL cure rates about 90%; outcomes vary by type.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for unexplained bruising, recurrent infections or persistent fatigue.
Sources and further reading
These sources cover this condition. They have not been checked against every statement on this page.
Related conditions
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