Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. Normally, blood cells are made in an orderly, controlled way. When leukemia develops, the bone marrow produces abnormal cells; therefore, the cells that are responsible for fighting infections and preventing bleeding are not made correctly.
Classification of Leukemia
Leukemias are classified as acute or chronic; an acute leukemia progresses more rapidly. They are also classified by the type of white blood cells in which they arise -- lymphoid cells or myeloid cells. There are four primary types of leukemia:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
In addition, there are other forms of leukemia that are rarer.
About 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) each year. The chance of getting AML increases with age. However, children and adults of any age can develop AML. About one in five children with leukemia has AML. The goal of treatment for AML is to bring about a remission or to cure the disease.
The number of patients with AML who enter remission, stay in remission for years or are cured has increased significantly over the past 30 years.