This comprehensive guide explains the 10 main types of leukemia, detailing their development, symptoms, and affected populations. It covers both acute and chronic forms, highlighting diagnosis and treatment aspects for each type, suitable for patients, healthcare professionals, and students seeking in-depth understanding.

An In-Depth Look at the Most Common Leukemia Types

Leukemia is a blood cancer originating in the bone marrow, characterized by abnormal proliferation of blood cells. It occurs when malignant changes disrupt normal blood cell production, leading to health complications. The severity and progression depend on how rapidly cancerous cells replace healthy blood components. The main types are classified by the affected cell line and disease onset:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) progresses quickly and begins in the bone marrow due to genetic or acquired mutations, with possible spread to the nervous system, lymph nodes, and testes.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) affects the bone marrow, impairing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, causing pancytopenia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a slower-growing cancer primarily seen in seniors around age 70, often with long asymptomatic periods, and has links to herbicide exposure.

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare form named after its hair-like cell projections. It mainly involves B lymphocytes and can be managed effectively, with malignant cells accumulating in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) impacts stem cells, reducing monocytes and compromising immune defense, leading to leukopenia, bleeding, and bruising from low platelet levels.

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) affects children under five, causing overgrowth of monocytes and impaired white blood cell function, presenting with anemia, neutropenia, and low platelets.

Large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGL) involves chronic lymphocyte proliferation, usually occurring in people around 60, with symptoms like spleen and liver enlargement, affecting T-cell and NK-cell populations.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm was formerly called NK cell lymphoma/leukemia and now categorized under AML, affecting white cells, the spleen, and platelets, sometimes involving lymph nodes without clear symptoms.

B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) is an aggressive, rare leukemia with rapid B lymphocyte growth, primarily in older adults, showing enlarged spleen, high lymphocyte counts, anemia, and low platelets. It may develop from CLL.

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare, aggressive leukemia with uncontrolled T-lymphocyte growth, mainly affecting men around 60, often with chromosomal abnormalities and swelling of the liver or spleen if untreated.