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  • leukaemia
  1. About blood cancers
  2. Leukaemia

Leukaemia

What is leukaemia?

Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer. It starts in the blood-forming tissue, usually the bone marrow, and leads to the over-production of abnormal white blood cells, the part of the immune system that defends the body against infection. 

To understand leukaemia, it helps to know more about your blood, which has three main cells groups. They have different jobs: 

  • White blood cells fight off infection
  • Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body, and take carbon dioxide back to your lungs so you can breathe it out
  • Platelets helps your blood clot, to prevent bleeding

Your body is making fresh new blood cells all the time, to replace old ones that have worn out and died off. This happens mainly in your bone marrow. When you're healthy, this system is finely balanced in a process called haematopoiesis. 

  • The process starts with a stem cell, which is an immature cell that can develop into all types of blood cells
  • When the stem cell divides, it can either produce more stem cells or other immature blast cells that develop into mature blood cells over time 
  • In this process of specialisation, immature blast cells become either lymphoid or myeloid cells 
  • Lymphoid cells are a type of white blood cells. They help fight infection, and they include B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes
  • Myeloid cells go on to form red blood cells, platelets and other types of white blood cells such as monocytes and granulocytes

Leukaemia develops when this process goes wrong, and the white blood cells develop in an uncontrolled way. Your body is making too many white blood cells and they may not be fully formed or mature. This means your white blood cells can't do their job of fighting infection. They may also crowd out your red blood cells and platelets, so they can't work properly either. 

Leukaemia symptoms may include:
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Feeling tired or weak
  • Easily bruise or bleed
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swollen stomach
  • Infections
  • Fever/night sweats
  • Pain in bones/joints
There are four main different types of leukaemia

The leukaemia name partly depends on whether it is chronic or acute:

  • Chronic leukaemia may take a while to get worse
  • Acute leukaemia gets worse quickly without treatment. The white blood cells are also more abnormal than in chronic leukaemia

The leukaemia name also tells you what specific type of white blood cell is affected, myeloid or lymphoblastic.

Read stories from those affected by leukaemia

Find out more about our ground-breaking research and care projects

Read more about the four main types of leukaemia:

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

Read more

Published: 29th October, 2019

Updated: 27th January, 2020

Author: Hanna Chorley

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)

Read more

Published: 29th October, 2019

Updated: 27th January, 2020

Author: Hanna Chorley

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

Read more

Published: 29th October, 2019

Updated: 27th January, 2020

Author: Hanna Chorley

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

Read more

Published: 29th October, 2019

Updated: 27th January, 2020

Author: Hanna Chorley

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Showing 10 of 4

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    Research breakthrough targets cancer over healthy tissue, bringing possibility of a new treatment option for most deadly type of leukaemia

    A new scientific paper published on 22nd June in Science Translational Medicine, announced a breakthrough by Leukaemia UK-funded scientist Dr William Grey that could lead to a vital new treatment option for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.

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    One Cancer Voice writes to Sajid Javid ahead of 10-Year Cancer Plan

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    Leukaemia UK funds ground-breaking research and care for those affected by leukaemia and other blood cancers. Find out about our life-saving work

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    When Yasmin was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma three years ago, she felt anxious about the months of treatment ahead. But now, with a wedding to plan and fresh outlook on life, we are delighted share her inspiring story.

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

  • Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

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    Scott's acute lymphoblastic leukaemia story

    Scott was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after collapsing at a work event. Read his story here

  • Vacancies

    Vacancies

    Find out about the latest job opportunities at Leukaemia UK.

Donate in memory

Donate in memory

Celebrate the life of a loved one while supporting our vital work Read more

Published: 23rd August, 2017

Updated: 19th November, 2021

Author: Deleted User

Get involved

Get involved

Discover our exciting events calendar Read more

Published: 20th September, 2017

Updated: 4th August, 2020

Author: Deleted User

Scott's acute lymphoblastic leukaemia story

Scott's acute lymphoblastic leukaemia story

Scott was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after collapsing at a work event. Read his story here Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 4th August, 2020

Author: Deleted User

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Leukaemia UK
52 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NH

Email: [email protected]
Telephone number: 020 7299 0722

Registered Charity Number 1154856 

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