Cancer is a condition where the cells start multiplying in an uncontrolled fashion. Cancer can occur in any part of the body. One such is the Leukemia which is uncontrolled multiplication of the cells that are responsible for the production of different types of blood cells. Mostly they affect the white blood cells but in some cases even other cells have leukemia. Depending on how fast the cells divide and the origin, leukemia is divided into various types. Herein, we discuss the different types of leukemia and their symptoms.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Also known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, ALL spreads quickly and can become fatal in a few months’ time. Bone marrow is the initial site of ALL which is soft tissue inside certain bones and new blood cells are made in the bone marrow. ALL sometimes even spreads to other parts of the body which includes the lymph node, spleen, liver, testicles, central nervous system. However, it is difficult to confirm if the patient is suffering from leukemia since other cancer can also spread into the bone marrow. If more than twenty percent of the cells in the bone are cancerous then only the cancer is considered leukemia. The common symptoms are

• Bleeding of the gums
• Fever
• Pain in bone
• Severe bleeding from the nose
• Pale skin
• Breathlessness
• Weakness and fatigue

Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common leukemia in adults and it spreads quickly and can affect any component of the blood cells. The myeloid cells which become the red blood cells, white blood cells in AML mature into abnormal myeloblasts or white blood cells and in some rare cases into abnormal red blood cells or even platelets. When these abnormal cells multiply they overwhelm the normal blood cells and spread aggressively to other parts of the body. This abnormal growth is mainly because of a mutation of a DNA that is responsible for the synthesis of the an individual’s bone marrow as a result the production of the blood cells become abnormal. The reason for mutation is still not clear, However, radiation and exposure to certain chemicals and some medications used in chemotherapy are potential risk factors. The following symptoms are common for acute myeloid leukemia are

• Fever
• Lethargy and high levels of fatigue
• Pale skin
• Unusual bleeding which takes long time to clot
• Frequent bleeding of the gums and nose
• Breathlessness
• Pain in bones and joints

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
It contributes to one-third of all the types of leukemia diagnosed and is common in older adults and it has a very slow spreading. Most of the time, this type of leukemia remains hidden since it doesn’t have any symptoms during the earlier stages. And the symptoms build up after a year or so when the cancer would have spread to other parts. The site of Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the B lymphocytes where the abnormal cells multiply and out number the healthy cells. CLL when diagnosed at the earlier stages can be controlled and treated efficiently. Its symptoms are

• Fatigue
• Fever with chills
• Loss of weight
• Feeling weak
• Sweating during the night
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Sense of pain in the belly due to enlarged spleen or liver
• Anemia

By knowing the different types of leukemia and their symptoms, one can help the doctor when it comes to diagnosis.