Your white blood cells account for only about 1% of your blood, but their impact is big. White blood cells are also called leukocytes. They protect you against illness and disease. Show
Think of white blood cells as your immunity cells. In a sense, they are always at war. They flow through your bloodstream to fight viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders that threaten your health. When your body is in distress and a particular area is under attack, white blood cells rush in to help destroy the harmful substance and prevent illness. White blood cells are made in the bone marrow. They are stored in your blood and lymph tissues. Because some white blood cells have a short life of 1 to 3 days, your bone marrow is always making them. Types of white blood cellsAmong your white blood cells are:
Problems affecting white blood cellsYour white blood cell count can be low for a number of reasons. This includes when something is destroying the cells more quickly than the body can replenish them. Or when the bone marrow stops making enough white blood cells to keep you healthy. When your white blood cell count is low, you are at great risk for any illness or infection, which can spiral into a serious health threat. Your healthcare provider can do a blood test to see whether your white blood cell count is normal. If your count is too low or too high, you may have a white blood cell disorder. A number of diseases and conditions may affect white blood cell levels:
Conditions such as extreme physical stress caused by an injury or emotional stress can also trigger high white blood cell levels. So can inflammation, labor or the end of pregnancy, smoking, or even extreme exercise. Leukemia starts when the DNA of a single cell in your bone marrow changes (mutates) and can’t develop and function normally. Leukemia cells often behave like abnormal white blood cells. Treatments for leukemia depend on the type of leukemia you have, your age and overall health, and if the leukemia has spread to other organs or tissues.
OverviewNormal blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Leukemia cells outnumber the normally seen healthy blood cells.What is leukemia?Leukemia is a cancer of the blood, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal blood cells. This uncontrolled growth takes place in your bone marrow, where most of your body’s blood is made. Leukemia cells are usually immature (still developing) white blood cells. The term leukemia comes from the Greek words for “white” (leukos) and “blood” (haima). Unlike other cancers, leukemia doesn’t generally form a mass (tumor) that shows up in imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans. There are many types of leukemia. Some are more common in children, while others are more common in adults. Treatment depends on the type of leukemia and other factors. How does leukemia develop?Leukemia begins in bone marrow, the soft spongy tissue in the inner cavity of your bones, where your body’s blood cells are made. Blood cells go through multiple stages before reaching their fully mature forms. Mature, normal blood cells include:
These blood cells start as hematopoietic (hemo = blood, poiesis = make) stem cells. The stem cells develop into either myeloid (MAI-uh-loyd) cells or lymphoid (LIM-foyd) cells. If blood cells were to continue to develop normally, the mature forms of these cells are as follows:
However, if you have leukemia, one of the developing blood cells begins to multiply out of control. These abnormal cells — called leukemia cells — begin to take over the space inside of your bone marrow. They crowd out the cells trying to develop into healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. How does leukemia affect my body?Having too many leukemia cells and too few normal cells is harmful for several reasons:
What are the different types of leukemia?There are four main types of leukemia and several subtypes. Healthcare providers classify leukemia based on how fast the disease worsens and whether leukemia cells arise from myeloid cells or lymphoid cells. Classifications of leukemiaHealthcare providers classify leukemia based on how quickly it progresses and the type of blood cell involved. By speed of disease progression
By cell type
Types of leukemiaThere are four main types of leukemia:
How common is leukemia?Leukemia is the 10th most common cancer in the U.S., accounting for 3.2% of all new cancer cases. Leukemia can affect anyone, but it’s more common among people who are:
Many people think of leukemia as a pediatric cancer, but some forms develop more often in adults. Although leukemia is rare in children, it’s the most common form of cancer affecting children and teens. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of leukemia?Symptoms depend, in part, on the type of leukemia. For instance, if you have a chronic form of leukemia, you may not have noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Common signs and symptoms of leukemia include:
What causes leukemia?Leukemia starts when the DNA of a single cell in your bone marrow changes (mutates). DNA is the “instruction code” that tells a cell when to grow, how to develop and when to die. Because of the mutation, or coding error, leukemia cells keep multiplying. All cells arising from the original mutated cell also have the mutated DNA. Scientists don’t know what causes these developing cells to mutate. They’ve been able to identify some common mutations that people diagnosed with different types of leukemia share. Are certain people at a higher risk for developing leukemia?Anyone can develop leukemia. Still, studies have shown that certain factors may increase your risk, including:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is leukemia diagnosed?Results from routine blood work can alert your healthcare provider that you may have an acute or chronic form of leukemia that requires further testing. Or they may recommend a workup if you have leukemia symptoms. Diagnostic exams and tests may include:
Management and TreatmentHow is leukemia treated?Treatments for leukemia depend on the type of leukemia you have, your age and overall health, and if the leukemia has spread to other organs or tissues. Common treatments often include a combination of the following:
Clinical trials are also available to test new cancer treatments. Weigh the potential benefits and risks of enrolling in a clinical trial with your healthcare provider. What are the phases of leukemia treatment?Depending on your treatment plan, you may receive ongoing leukemia treatments long-term or treatment in phases. Generally, phased treatment involves three parts. Each phase has a specific goal.
Your healthcare provider may resume or change your treatment if the leukemia returns. Outlook / PrognosisWhat outcome can I expect if I have a leukemia diagnosis?It’s difficult to predict the prognosis for leukemia because everyone’s experience is different. Outcomes depend on a variety of factors, including:
Ultimately, your healthcare provider is the most reliable resource for understanding how your cancer affects your unique prognosis. Ask them about treatment outcomes. What is the survival rate of leukemia?Although the number of new cases of leukemia in the U.S. has remained relatively steady or slightly increased since the 1970s, the survival rate has also improved. Still, long-term outcomes vary for each person. The National Cancer Institute reports the following survival data for the four main types of leukemia: Types of LeukemiaALLAMLCLLCML5- year survival rate*69.9%29.5%87.2%70.6%Number of deaths per 100,000 persons0.42.71.10.3Death is highest among those aged65-8465+75+75+Table legend: ALL = acute lymphocytic leukemia; AML = acute myelogenous leukemia; CLL = chronic lymphocytic leukemia; CML = chronic myelogenous leukemia *survival compares patients diagnosed with cancer vs. people of same age, race and sex who are cancer free. Data source: SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2017, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD. Can leukemia be cured?There isn’t a cure for leukemia, but this doesn’t mean some people don’t achieve long-term remission. Being cured of leukemia means that the cancer’s gone, it’s not coming back and no more treatment is needed — but this is hard to know for sure with leukemia. On the other hand, long-term remission means there’s no sign of cancer with or without treatment. Remission may last anywhere from a few weeks to many years. The leukemia may never return. If it does, your healthcare provider may recommend new treatments to achieve remission. Your healthcare team can best answer the question, “Am I cured of my leukemia?” Your team will work closely with you to monitor your health and develop a personalized treatment plan. Living WithWhat questions should I ask my provider?Empower yourself by learning all you can about how your cancer diagnosis may uniquely impact you. It’s a good idea to take notes and bring a friend to your appointments. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Questions may include:
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere can I find clinical trials for leukemia?To learn more about clinical trials for leukemia, visit:
Where can I find support groups?To connect with people with leukemia or to locate additional support from people who understand what it means to live with a cancer diagnosis, visit your local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapter. A note from Cleveland Clinic Any cancer diagnosis is scary, but a leukemia diagnosis may feel especially so. It can be difficult to imagine what the treatment experience will be like without a tumor that can be removed. It can be intimidating to imagine the prognosis. Remember that leukemia isn’t one thing with one outcome. Your treatment and your chance of long-term remission depend on many factors. No one can predict your outcomes without understanding your health and leukemia — down to the characteristics of the leukemia cells. Talk with your healthcare provider about what a leukemia diagnosis means for you. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/18/2022. References
Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information enewsCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Related Institutes & ServicesCleveland Clinic Cancer CenterCleveland Clinic Cancer Center provides world-class care to patients with cancer and is at the forefront of new and emerging clinical, translational and basic cancer research. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy More health news + infoShow More
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Snapchat ActionsAppointments & AccessAccepted InsuranceEvents CalendarFinancial AssistanceGive to Cleveland ClinicPay Your Bill OnlineRefer a PatientPhone DirectoryVirtual Second OpinionsVirtual VisitsBlog, News & AppsConsult QDHealth EssentialsNewsroomMyClevelandClinicMyChartAbout Cleveland Clinic100 Years of Cleveland ClinicAbout UsLocationsQuality & Patient SafetyOffice of Diversity & InclusionPatient ExperienceResearch & InnovationsCommunity CommitmentCareersFor EmployeesResources for Medical ProfessionalsSite Information & PoliciesSend Us FeedbackSite MapAbout this WebsiteCopyright, Reprint & LicensingWebsite Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyNotice of Privacy PracticesNon-Discrimination Notice9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2022 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved. What are the 4 types of blood cancer?Types of Blood Cancer. Leukemia.. Lymphoma.. Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Myeloproliferative Disorder (MPD). Multiple Myeloma.. What are the symptoms of white blood cell cancer?Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:. Fever or chills.. Persistent fatigue, weakness.. Frequent or severe infections.. Losing weight without trying.. Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.. Easy bleeding or bruising.. Recurrent nosebleeds.. Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae). Is WBC cancer curable?Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects your blood cells and bone marrow. As with other types of cancer, there's currently no cure for leukemia. People with leukemia sometimes experience remission, a state after diagnosis and treatment in which the cancer is no longer detected in the body.
What is the most common blood cancer?The most commonly diagnosed blood cancers are non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
|