Leukemia is a condition that causes a significant rise of white blood cells, making it a life-threatening disease. It’s not always easy to detect this disease at an early stage. Let’s discuss the different types of leukemia for a better understanding and to help get quick and efficient treatment.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
ALL is mostly seen in children. This type of leukemia grows in the bone marrow, which is the soft tissues found inside bones. It affects the immature lymphocytes and develops very quickly. It has been found that the damaging elements can also spread to the rest of the body including the parts like liver, spleen, brain or lymph glands via bloodstream.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
This type of leukemia occurs inside the bones as a result of damaged bone marrow known as myeloid cells. These cells eventually develop into red blood cells and platelets and carry a great risk of rapidly spreading leukemia in adults. When diagnosed, presence of 20% blasts in the bone marrow is AML.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Known as slow-developing cancer, CLL is formed in the bone marrow too. Once a few white blood cells termed as lymphocytes get affected by the disease’s caner cells, they travel to the other vital parts of the human body. Eventually, the damaged tissues make it difficult for the immune system to fight the disease. Experts say that older people and adults are more prone to this type of leukemia.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
Another slow-forming type of leukemia, CML is seen in middle-aged or elderly people. When there is an abnormal production of white blood cells, called granulocytes, in the bone marrow, it hampers the normal blood cell production. The immature nature of these cells causes a shortage of red blood cells and results in anemia, sudden bleeding, or rashes.

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL)
HCL is a rare form of leukemia, but it possesses the same seriousness as the other types. It is considered as a slow-growing chronic disease that is formed in the bone marrow as a result of production of hair-like white blood cells. Adults are prone to this type of leukemia, where less number of red blood cells and platelets are produced in the body.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
This will occur when the bone marrow doesn’t function normally and produces less number of red blood cells or defective cells. It is diagnosed as a result of a group of disorders due to bone marrow issues. It is mostly seen in older people, but little ones are also susceptible to it.

These are the individual types of leukemia that are seen in younger to older patients. It is advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle and make regular appointments with the family doctors for early screening of leukemia. With conscious efforts, you can avoid such a disease and live a healthy life.