• Acute Leukemia:

• Symptoms appear suddenly, over a few weeks to a month, and can be life-threatening.

• Malignant cells (called blasts) are immature and unable to function properly in the immune system.

• Common types include Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).

• Chronic Leukemia:

• Develops slowly over months or even years, often with no immediate life-threatening symptoms.

• Abnormal cells are more mature but still not effective.

• Common types include Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

Risk Factors

• Chemical exposure (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers)

• Previous radiation therapy or chemotherapy

• Genetic syndromes (e.g., Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia)

• Family history of leukemia

Symptoms

• Acute Leukemia:

• Sudden symptoms like fatigue, bruising, frequent infections, fevers, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.

• Can cause organ damage, especially to the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

• Chronic Leukemia:

• Symptoms can develop gradually and might not show for years.

• Includes weight loss, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

• May be discovered during routine blood tests due to elevated white blood cell counts.

Diagnosis

Leukemia is diagnosed through a combination of:

• Blood tests to look for abnormalities in cell counts.

• Bone marrow biopsy to examine cell production.

• Genetic tests and imaging scans to check for cell mutations or spread to organs.

Treatment

• Chemotherapy: Standard treatment with combinations of drugs.

• Targeted therapies: Newer treatments that focus on specific cancer cell molecules.

• Bone marrow transplant: A treatment for advanced or relapsed cases