Leukemia

Background

There are two ways to classify leukemia: acute or chronic and lymphoid or myeloid. In acute leukemia, the leukemia cells are derived from early progenitor cells, the immature “blasts.” In chronic leukemia, the leukemia cells are derived from mature lineage-specific, abnormal cells. These cells live longer than normal cells and build up over time, causing tumors. Lymphoid leukemia develops from lymphoblasts or lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Myeloid leukemia develops from myeloid cells in the bone marrow. Consequently, there are four major types of leukemia: acute lymphoid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphoid leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia.

For more information, please download our Leukemia Information sheet.