How common is leukemia?

Leukemia is a relatively rare type of cancer, accounting for about 3% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. It is more common in men than women, and it is most often diagnosed in adults over the age of 55. However, leukemia can occur at any age, and it is the most common type of cancer in children under the age of 15.

There are four main types of leukemia:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): This is the most common type of leukemia in children. It affects the lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): This type of leukemia affects the myeloid cells, which are a type of white blood cell that develops into red blood cells, platelets, and other types of blood cells.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): This type of leukemia affects the lymphocytes, and it is most often diagnosed in adults over the age of 55.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): This type of leukemia affects the myeloid cells, and it is most often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 and 40.

The overall survival rate for all types of leukemia has been increasing in recent years. For example, the five-year survival rate for ALL in children is now over 90%, and the five-year survival rate for CLL in adults is over 70%. However, the prognosis for leukemia depends on a number of factors, including the type of leukemia, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and overall health.