What is Leukaemia?

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Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the blood cells within the bone marrow, these are made up of red, white and platelet cells. Leukaemia is caused by genetic changes in the blood cells that create bone marrow cells. There are many types of leukaemia which depends on the type of blood cell affected or if it is acute or chronic.

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Blood cells

Red blood cells - these cells are also known as haemoglobin and their main function is to carry oxygen around the body.
White blood cells - there are different types of white bloods cells known as lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes which are a very important part of the immune system. Their main function is to help fight or prevent infection.
Platelets - these cells help to stop bleeding when you have a cut or bruise by sticking together and forming clots.
Bone marrow - is spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.

How does Leukaemia develop?

There is no exact known cause of leukaemia but there can be risks associated with developing it.

Smoking
Genetic disorders
Previous chemotherapy
Age
Blood disorders
Chemical exposure
Family history

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There are many different types of leukaemia:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL)
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (CMML)
Hairy Cell Leukaemia (HCL)

Acute lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)

In people with ALL, these immature cells known as (lymphoblasts) grow too fast and don鈥檛 mature properly. Instead of becoming healthy white blood cells, they turn into abnormal cells which multiply quickly, this can lead to the bone marrow building up with leukaemia resulting in no room for normal blood cells to be made.听听

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Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

AML occurs when certain blood cells grow abnormally, hindering your blood鈥檚 ability to perform its normal functions, such as fighting infections or carrying oxygen throughout the body. These abnormal blood cells, known as leukaemia cells, can rapidly accumulate in your body. As they increase in number, there is less space for healthy blood cells to develop, leading to the symptoms of AML.听

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Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL)

APL is a rare condition and occurs when some white blood cells fail to develop properly. Rather than maturing into fully functional white blood cells that support the immune system, they get stuck at an early stage and are called promyelocytes. These cells accumulate in the blood and bone marrow, which limits space for healthy blood cells to grow and perform their function. As a result, the body doesn鈥檛 have enough white blood cells to fight infections, red blood cells to carry oxygen, or platelets to prevent bleeding. APL progresses rapidly (it鈥檚 acute), but most people respond well to treatment and go into remission.听

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Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

In CLL, your body produces abnormal lymphocytes that grow too quickly and don鈥檛 function properly. Normal lymphocytes play an important role in your immune system by fighting infections. However, the abnormal lymphocytes in CLL are not as effective, making those with CLL more susceptible to infections caused by viruses and bacteria. As the number of abnormal lymphocytes in your blood rises, the number of healthy blood cells decreases. This can lead to a range of CLL symptoms, although some people may not experience any symptoms at the beginning.听

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

CML is a slow developing type of blood cancer which affects the white blood cells known as myeloid cells.听听

CML has three phases, and most people are diagnosed during the first phase, known as the chronic phase. Some individuals are diagnosed during the high-risk chronic phase (also called the accelerated phase) or the blast phase.听

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Chronic phase

Most people (around 9 in 10) are diagnosed with CML during the chronic phase, which is the earliest and slowest progressing stage. This phase may be detected through a routine blood test, and the number of immature myeloid blasts in the blood and bone marrow remains low. Some individuals may start feeling unwell, but many experience mild symptoms or none at all.

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High-risk chronic phase (or accelerated phase)

If CML is left untreated, it can progress more quickly into the high-risk chronic phase, also known as the accelerated phase. During this phase, the number of immature myeloid blast cells in the blood and bone marrow increases, occupying space that should be filled with healthy blood cells. As a result, symptoms tend to become more noticeable.

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Blast phase

The blast phase, also known as the acute phase or blast crisis, is an excess of immature myeloid blasts in the blood and bone marrow, leading to a shortage of mature, healthy blood cells. Symptoms become more severe during this phase. The blast phase is similar to acute leukaemia, and some people may develop and transform into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

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Hairy cell Leukaemia (HCL)

Hairy cell leukaemia is a rare blood cancer that affects B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections. Blood cells are made in the bone marrow, a soft tissue inside certain bones. This process keeps the body healthy.听听

In hairy cell leukaemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal B lymphocytes. These cells don鈥檛 work properly, so they can鈥檛 fight infections. They also crowd out healthy blood cells the body needs. These abnormal cells are called "hairy cells" because they look like they have tiny hair-like strands under a microscope.听

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