There are four types of leukemia. Two types, acute lymphocytic leukemia
(ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), are categorized as acute because they
spread quickly. With these types of leukemia, cancerous cells replace normal
white blood cells that fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen to
the body, and platelets that help blood clot.
The other two types, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myeloid leukemia
(CML), are classified as chronic, meaning they develop and progress gradually.
When cancerous cells replace healthy cells, the body is susceptible to other
adverse health effects such as infection, bleeding and anemia.
In any form of leukemia, cancerous cells replacing the healthy blood cells
increase the body’s susceptibility to infection.
Close