Cancer types
Leukaemia - what is it?
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which are made in the bone marrow - the soft spongy material in the centre of your bones.
- Leukaemia’s are divided into two main groups: acute and chronic (acute leukaemia are more common in adolescents and young adults).
- They’re then further divided by the type of white blood cell which is affected (myeloid or lymphoid).
- Acute leukaemia's come on suddenly, often within days or weeks. They progress quickly and need to be treated urgently.
- Chronic leukaemia’s develop more slowly, usually over many months or years.
These are the five main types of leukaemia:
- Chronic myeloid (CML)
- Chronic lymphocytic (CLL)
- Acute myeloid (AML)
- Acute promyelocytic (APML)
- Acute lymphoblastic (ALL)
Last updated 12 October 2011
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