Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the organs responsible for producing blood cells. Normally, immature blood cells (called stem cells or blasts) remain in the bone marrow and lymphatic system until they are mature. They are then released into the blood stream, where they carry out the work they are intended to do:

• White blood cells (WBC’s) protect the body from infection

• Red blood cells (RBC’s) carry oxygen to fuel the body’s organs and tissues

• Platelets help the blood to clot, which controls bleeding

In leukemia, the rate at which blood cells are produced, the number of blood cells produced and their ability to function normally are affected.

There are several types of leukemia.  Most people with leukemia have one of these four common types:

ALL, AML, CLL, or CML.

For resources that provide detailed information about these and other less common types of leukemia, please see Types of Leukemia.

Leukemia Treatment

The Leukemia Team diagnoses and treats ALL, AML (all subtypes), and CML as well as these blood disorders:

• Aplastic anemia
• Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Myeloproliferative disorders (essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis)

Although CLL is considered to be a type of leukemia, it is also known as small lymphocytic lymphoma and is treated by our Lymphoma/Myeloma Team.