Leukemia News and Information

Leukemia is one of the most widely researched cancers in the world, because it can affect anyone, at any time. Entire hospitals and cancer treatment centers devote millions of dollars in time, energy, and other resources in order to find a cure, and because of this focus new treatments and breakthroughs occur almost every day.

For example, in April 2005, research studies revealed a breakthrough in treating chronic myeloid leukemia, one of the deadliest forms of the cancer. A new drug which aims to halt the production of cancerous cells in bone marrow was shown to extend the life of a large group of patients. Also in April 2005, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discovered an enzyme that triggers uncontrolled cellular replication, one of the hallmarks of leukemia. Research continues, but new discoveries in the months ahead could produce even more advance treatments to not only extend, but also improve the quality of life for victims of leukemia.

NEWS: The devastating disease known as leukemia is a cancer of the blood, caused by a mutation in a cell of the bone marrow:

• 33,440 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the United States this year
• Leukemia is more prevalent in males than females
• The most common form of leukemia among children under 19 years of age is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Fortunately, most children with ALL can be cured.
• The most common type of leukemia in adults is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), with an estimated 11,920 new cases annually.

NEWS Factoid: Between 1995- 2000 average survival rates for the four main leukemias were:

• Acute Lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): 64.8 percent overall; 89.1 percent for children under 5
• Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): 72.7 percent
• Acute Myelogenous leukemia (AML): 19.5 percent overall; 53 percent for children
• Chronic Myelogenous leukemia (CML): 36.7 percent
• Benzene exposure is a likely cause for most types of leukemia
• Approximately 23,300 deaths in the United States were attributed to leukemia in 2004