Leukemia

Learn about leukemia types, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options to better understand this common blood cancer and its impact.
Leukemia Fact Sheet

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow. It causes the body to produce excessive amounts of abnormal, immature white blood cells that crowd out healthy blood cells. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, frequent infections, and easy bruising. There are four main types of leukemia: acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Statistics

  • In 2026, an estimated 67,790 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the United States.
  • An estimated 23,910 people will die from leukemia in 2026.
  • The overall five-year survival rate for leukemia is 68% but varies based on type: 71% for AML, 90% for ALL, and 91% for CML among youth.
  • In Texas, an estimated 5,660 new cases of leukemia and approximately 1,820 deaths are expected in 2026.

Risk Factors

There is no guaranteed way to prevent leukemia, but certain risk factors can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease:

  • Cigarette Smoking: Smoking introduces toxic chemicals into the blood stream that damage DNA and cause mutations that lead to leukemia.
  • Exposure to High-Level Ionizing Radiation: This level of radiation, most commonly from prior cancer treatment, can cause direct damage to DNA in the bone marrow, increasing the risk of AML and CML.
  • Certain Genetic Abnormalities: Li-Fraumeni or Down syndrome are associated with an increased risk of leukemia.

Symptoms

Leukemia may cause symptoms, such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Night sweats
  • Pale or lighter-colored skin
  • Bruising or bleeding easily
  • Weight loss
  • Bone or joint pain
  • Repeated infections
  • Swelling
  • Fever

Prevention

While little is known about what exactly causes leukemia, people can take steps to lower their overall cancer risk by:

  • Avoiding or stopping smoking
  • Staying physically active
  • Avoiding or limiting alcohol
  • Eating a diet rich in protein and fiber
  • Maintaining a healthy weight

Treatment Options

Depending on the disease stage and type and the tumor’s size and location, leukemia may be treated with one or a combination of the following:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Stem cell transplantation
  • Targeted therapies
  • CAR T-Cell Therapy