There are several different kinds of leukemia. The type of leukemia you have will determine the outlook and the types of treatment that will be most effective. So an accurate diagnosis is the first step to fighting the disease.
How Is Leukemia Classified?
Leukemia is classified in two ways. First, the disease can be either chronic (slow-growing) or acute (more aggressive).
Second, leukemia is classified based on the types of leukemia cells present. This is determined by where the disease started. Lymphocytic leukemias start in lymphoid cells, and myelogenous leukemias start in myeloid cells.
What Are the Types of Leukemia?
Leukemia classifications are used to break the disease down into four main types.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common kind of leukemia. It usually occurs in young children but can also occur in adults. It’s sometimes called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
ALL starts in the lymphoid cells of the bone marrow. It often spreads quickly to the blood in other parts of the body, such as:
- Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
- Liver
- Lymph nodes
- Spleen
- Testicles in male patients
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Acute myelogenous leukemia is the most common kind of aggressive leukemia in adults. It can also affect children. This type of leukemia starts in the myeloid cells of the bone marrow and can spread quickly into the blood. From there, AML can spread to:
- Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
- Liver
- Lymph nodes
- Spleen
- Testicles in male patients
AML is also sometimes called:
- Acute granulocytic leukemia
- Acute myelocytic leukemia
- Acute myelogenous leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Acute non-lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of slow-growing leukemia. It usually affects older adults.
CLL starts in the lymphoid (white blood) cells of the bone marrow and progresses slowly. A person with CLL may feel fine for several years before experiencing symptoms or seeking treatment. But it can eventually enter the blood and spread to other parts of the body.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Chronic myelogenous leukemia usually affects adults. It’s sometimes called chronic myeloid leukemia.
This type of leukemia starts in the myeloid cells of the bone marrow. It grows slowly, so symptoms may not start for months or years. CML can eventually spread to the blood and other parts of the body.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia starts in the myeloid cells of the bone marrow. People with CMML usually have:
- Enlarged spleen
- Shortage of some types of blood cells
- Too many monocytes (a type of white blood cell)
CMML usually affects older adults. It can eventually spread to the blood, and it can lead to AML.
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of blood disorders. In MPNs, the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets.
The type of MPN determines symptoms, treatment options and outlook. There are six types, characterized by which blood cells are abnormal:
- Chronic eosinophilic leukemia: too many eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that fight allergens
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia: too many white blood cells
- Chronic neutrophilic leukemia: too many neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infection
- Essential thrombocythemia: too many platelets
- Polycythemia vera: too many red blood cells
- Primary myelofibrosis, or chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis: abnormal blood cells build up in the bone marrow
Types of Leukemia: The Penn Medicine Advantage
If you have leukemia, it’s essential to know the specific type. The information guides treatment decisions and helps you understand your prognosis (outlook). If you choose Penn Medicine’s Blood Cancer Program, you’ll find:
- Help through the leukemia journey: Our nurses and nurse navigators will make sure you quickly get the right tests and make an accurate leukemia diagnosis. They will then help you understand what the leukemia type means for you.
- Leukemia expertise: Our leukemia team consists of fellowship-trained hematologists that specialize in diagnosing and treating leukemia. They’re experts in the individual complexities of each type.
- Treatment options for every type of leukemia: We offer comprehensive leukemia treatment options depending on the type of leukemia and how advanced it is. Treatment ranges from traditional cancer treatments to the newest, most advanced options in leukemia treatments.
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