Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow where cancerous cells fill the bone marrow and prevent healthy blood cells from being made. There are four main types of leukemia - acute and chronic forms of both myeloid and lymphocytic leukemia. Symptoms can include easy bruising, night sweats, excessive bleeding, fatigue, nausea and swollen belly. Leukemia is diagnosed through blood tests, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, and biological therapies.

1. Leukemia

2. Leukemia OverviewCancerous cells fill up the bone marrow and prevent healthy red cells, platelets, and mature white cells (leukocytes) from being madeTumor suppressor genes are deactivated

3. Four Types of Leukemia:LeukemiaAcuteChronicChronic MyeloidLeukemia (CML)Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)Chronic LymphocyticLeukemia (CLL)Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

4. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)CLL cells (mutations) multiply and replace normal white blood cells in bone marrowSpreads to blood streamFailure of bone marrowAlmost never occurs in children

5. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Increased and unregulated growth of mainly myeloid (bone marrow) cells in bone marrow

6. Accumulation of these mutated cells into the blood.

7. Mainly affects adultsAcute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)Malignant (immature) white blood cells continuously multiply and are overproduced in the bone marrowCauses damage and death by crowding out normal cells and by spreading to other organsMost common in children but can also occur in adults

8. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)Abnormal fast multiplying myeloid cells replace healthy cells, causing bone marrow to failOccurs in children and adults

9. Symptoms of LeukemiaMay be easily bruisedNight sweatsBleed excessivelyFeeling sick, fatigued, flu-like symptomsNausea/swollen bellyHeadaches

10. DiagnosisBlood testsBone marrow aspirationBone marrow biopsyBlood cell countsChest x-raysSpinal tap (looks for leukemia in CSF)Physical exam

11. TreatmentsChemotherapy (main treatment)Bone marrow transplantRadiation treatmentsStem cell transplantBiological therapyClinical treatments (new medicines)