Leukemia Channel
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Acute Leukemia Information
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are two different types: acute and chronic. With acute leukemia:
- The blood cells are abnormal
- The blood cells cannot carry out their normal work
- The number of abnormal cells increases rapidly
- The disease progresses quickly.
Acute leukemia typically progresses faster and gets worse sooner than does chronic leukemia. Symptoms may include fatigue, easy bruising, and frequent infections; however, these symptoms can be seen in other conditions, so certain tests will be used to make a definitive diagnosis.
(For more information about this condition, including how it is diagnosed, the different classifications, and treatment options, click Acute Leukemia.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD