| Leukemia is a cancerous disease caused by | | | | |
| abnormal activity of stem cells (immature | | | | In adults, the most common types of leukemia |
| cells that originate in the bone marrow). | | | | are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and |
| There are two main types of leukemia – | | | | chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Acute |
| myelogenous and lymphocytic (according to the | | | | myelogenous leukemia accounts for more than |
| type of cells involved), which can be further | | | | 10.000 new cases each year, while chronic |
| classified in two categories - acute and | | | | lymphocytic leukemia is responsible for |
| chronic. | | | | causing around 8.000 new annual cases. |
| | | | |
| Acute leukemia is characterized by the rapid | | | | Leukemia has the highest incidence in the |
| multiplication of partially developed, | | | | male gender. Statistics indicate that more |
| functionless cells. These abnormal cells | | | | than 56 percent of annual leukemia cases are |
| accumulate inside the bone marrow or in the | | | | diagnosed in men. Although it can be seen in |
| blood stream, interfering with the activity | | | | all ethnical groups, leukemia predominantly |
| of normal, healthy cells. People with acute | | | | affects Caucasian white people. The annual |
| leukemia also suffer from anemia, which is | | | | incidence of leukemia is lower in African |
| caused by a pronounced decrease in the number | | | | Americans, while American Indians and |
| of red blood cells. Leukemia sufferers also | | | | Hispanics rarely develop the disease. |
| have a deficit of healthy white cells, which | | | | Similarly, leukemia is rarely seen in Asian |
| have a vital role in fighting against | | | | people. |
| infections. In addition, acute leukemia | | | | |
| affects the body's production of platelets, | | | | The most common type of leukemia among |
| which have an important role in blood | | | | children aged 3-15 is acute lymphocytic |
| coagulation (they speed up the healing of | | | | leukemia. Due to the fact that acute |
| open wounds). | | | | lymphocytic leukemia predominantly affects |
| | | | children, it is referred to as childhood |
| Chronic leukemia also causes serious | | | | leukemia. Childhood leukemia rarely affects |
| impairments at cellular level, triggering an | | | | children younger than 3 or with ages over 15. |
| overproduction of abnormal cells. However, | | | | Despite the fact that modern medicine doesn't |
| unlike acute leukemia, chronic forms of the | | | | hold the cure for childhood leukemia, the |
| disease allow the affected cells to reach | | | | medical treatments and therapies available |
| more advanced stages of development. Thus, | | | | nowadays can slow down the progression of the |
| chronic leukemia has a slower rate of | | | | disease and in some cases, they can even |
| progression. | | | | overcome leukemia completely. The annual |
| | | | morbidity rate of leukemia among young |
| The annual prevalence of leukemia among the | | | | patients has known a considerable decrease in |
| population of the United States is around | | | | the last two decades. Thanks to modern |
| 31.000 new cases. Leukemia has the highest | | | | medical equipment, leukemia can be timely |
| incidence in older adults, commonly affecting | | | | diagnosed, allowing prompt medical |
| people with ages over 60. However, there are | | | | intervention. Nowadays, early diagnosis and |
| certain types of leukemia that predominantly | | | | new approaches in medical treatment can |
| affect children. For instance, acute | | | | considerably extend patients' |
| lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is responsible for | | | | life-expectancy, thus increasing the chances |
| causing more than 80 percent of overall | | | | of complete recovery. |
| childhood leukemia cases. | | | | |