What is leukaemia?
Chapter 01
What is leukaemia?
Leukaemia is a term used to describe certain types of blood cancer.1 It can occur when abnormal blood forming cells in the bone marrow grow in an uncontrolled way.1 Leukaemia usually starts in the bone marrow.1
Most blood cells are made in the bone marrow, which is the spongy centre of your bones.2 This includes white blood cells, which are an essential part of the immune system and help fight infection and disease.3 However, in people with leukaemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells (called blasts) that cannot fight infection effectively.1 This can increase the risk of getting sick.1
Leukaemias are divided into ‘acute’ or ‘chronic’ depending on how fast its growing and where it originated.1 Under this umbrella, there are four types of leukaemia:1,5
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): is the most common leukemia in adults and the most aggressive
- Acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL): this type of leukaemia occurs more in children rather than adults
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML): this type of leukaemia mainly occurs in adults and is usually slow growing. This means it may not be treated until it progresses and symptoms evolve
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL): this form of leukemia is similar to CML, in that it usually affects adults, and occurs more so older adults and is slow growing. Treatment may not occur until the disease progresses
Leukaemia symptoms may differ according to the type diagnosed - for instance acute leukaemia symptoms can be more severe and develop faster (than chronic leukaemia).1,5 While, chronic leukaemia symptoms usually tend to develop more slowly, and this may take for example months or years.1,5 Leukaemia symptoms may include:1,4,6
- Weakness and fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Loss of appetite
- Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Frequent infections that may include high temperatures, coughing, increased passing of urine, boils, sore throat
- Bruising
- Bleeding easily, particularly from gums and nose
- Swollen lymph glands (often noticeable in the armpits, neck, and groin)
Having any of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean that you have leukaemia, however you can speak with your GP or specialist if you have any questions or concerns.
It’s not known exactly what causes leukaemia.6 However, some factors appear to increase the risk of getting leukaemia, including:1,6
- Advanced age (average age for some types of leukaemia is 65)
- Exposure to intense radiation
- Smoking, as the benzene in cigarettes is thought to increase the risk of leukaemia
- Certain genetic syndromes, including Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Fanconi Anaemia, Bloom syndrome, trisomy 8, and Li–Fraumeni syndrome
- Certain viral infections such as the Human T-Cell leukaemia virus
If you have any questions or concerns about potential risk factors, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your GP or specialist.
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Diagnosis
Chapter 02
Diagnosing leukaemia
Your GP will probably refer you to a specialist if they are concerned about your symptoms and risk factors for leukaemia. In addition to a physical examination, your doctor may also order a range of tests to better understand any symptoms, help diagnose and determine the type of leukaemia.1,6
These tests may include:1,6
- Blood tests
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Lumbar puncture
- Imaging tests: such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans
Your doctor can explain more about what each of the tests are and why they may be considered.
If you are found to have leukaemia, your doctor will explain what stage your cancer is and how far it has progressed.
If you are found to have leukaemia, your doctor will explain what stage your cancer is and how far it has progressed.
Treatment options
Chapter 03
Treatment options for leukaemia
Treatment for leukaemia depends on the type of leukaemia that is diagnosed as well as your overall health (i.e. age, other health conditions). 1,6 Based on your diagnosis, your treating doctor will discuss the various treatment options with you. However, broadly speaking, treatment options may include:1,6-10
- Chemotherapy
- Active monitoring
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Peripheral blood stem cell and bone marrow transplantation
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitory therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
- Hypomethylating agents (HMAs)
- Checkpoint inhibitors
- Bispecific antibodies,
- Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells
- Combination of the above
Side effects
Chapter 04
Potential side effects
Cancer treatment often results in side effects - yet the type and severity of side effects may vary between individuals.11,12 You can ask your doctor for detailed information around side effects and how to best manage them.
The following list may help when researching the types of activities and nutrition you can consider during treatment.13 Your treating doctor can also provide further information, or point you towards the right resources:
- Get as much rest as possible
- Aim for a wholefood, varied diet, and we also encourage you to think about eating foods that interest you rather than what you think you should eat
- Appetite changes are common, and you may experience taste changes or nausea. Help manage this by eating small, frequent snacks and avoiding smells that make you nauseous
- Drink lots of water
- Reach out to support groups and others who have had cancer treatment
- Record your side effects in a diary or journal
- Speak to your doctor about incorporating some gentle exercise into your weekly routine
- It is important to acknowledge when you are fatigued and rest when you need to
- Ask for and accept help from family, friends and neighbours
- Be open with employers about your treatment and discuss flexible working options if you need them
Treatment with GenesisCare
Chapter 05
Learn more about patient care at GenesisCare
We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be emotional and life changing.14 It’s natural to feel disbelief, shock, anxiety, sadness, anger and loneliness.15 Our care team will aim to know your name and get to know who you are as a person. Your nursing team and oncology team are here to support you before, during and after your cancer treatment. We are here to guide you and to help get the support you need which may include a psychologist, exercise physiologist, physiotherapist, and dietitian.
If you have any enquiries about our centres or services, please contact your local centre team. You are able to view a list of our centres here.
Helpful services
Chapter 06
Other helpful services
Other myeloma information, resources and support services are available to assist you during your cancer journey.
These include:
Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council is Australia’s leading cancer charity, supporting families, advocating for the community, empowering cancer prevention, and advancing detection and treatment methods across all cancer types.
Australian Cancer Research Foundation
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) funds cutting-edge cancer research by providing scientists with advanced technology and infrastructure to improve cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Leukaemia Foundation
The Leukaemia Foundation is the national organisation dedicated to the care and cure of people living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and other related blood disorders, and to providing support for their families.
- Chennamadhavuni, A. et al. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Leukemia. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan (cited Feb. 2024). Access from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560490/
- Lucas, D. Curr Opin Hematol. 2021; 28(1): 36–42.
- Jagannathan-Bogdan, M and Zon, LI. Development. 2013; 140(12): 2463–2467.
- Howell, DA. Br J Cancer. 2015;113(7):1114-20
- Mukkamalla, SKR. Et al. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Mar. (cited Feb. 2024). Access from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29261864/
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Leukaemia. Page last updated Sept. 2023 [cited Jan. 2024]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/leukaemia
- Andreozzi, F. et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(7):3887
- Hampel, PJ. & Parikh, SA. Blood Cancer J. 2022; 12(11): 161
- Malczewska, M. et al. Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(8):2021.
- Jabbour, E & Kantarjian, H. Am J Hematol. 2022: 97(9):1236-1256
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Cancer side effects. Cited Jan. 2024. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/cancer-side-effects
- National Cancer Institute. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Side Effects of Cancer Treatment [webpage}. [Cited Oct. 2023]. Access from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Nutrition for People Living with Cancer. Page last updated July 2022 [cited Jan. 2024]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/nutrition-and-cancer-booklet
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Does cancer only cause physical changes? [cited Jan. 2024]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au/iheard/does-cancer-only-cause-physical-changes
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. After a diagnosis. [cited Jan. 2024]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/after-a-diagnosis#
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Disclaimer:
This website is provided for information purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended to be used as medical advice, or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should not be used as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. Any medical procedure or treatment carries risks. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.