First occurring signs in the development of acute forms of leukemia are bruising and bleedings caused by the decreased number of platelets, fatigue and pales due to the anemia caused by insufficient red blood cells, reoccurring infections and late healing due to abnormal number and function of white blood cells. These symptoms are however not specific for the Leukemia condition and for a precise diagnose further testing is required such as analysis of blood and bone marrow.



A certain cause of Leukemia is not yet known as it can affect persons of all ages and both sexes. A link however between leukemia and benzene prolonged exposure or high doses of radiations could be established. But most cases cannot be rationally explained.

The main target of the Leukemia treatment is to annihilate all existing abnormal cells in blood and bone marrow. A complete remission means no left trace of cancerous modifications. Some of the treated cases show a reoccurrence of the disease with other signs and symptoms. In acute leukemia forms, after five years of remission after treatment the patient can be qualified as cured and the condition rarely reoccurs.

In the last 25 years the percent of surviving subjects has increased due to new therapy ways. The overall five-year survival rate is 44% today, with significant progresses compared to the 1960's rate of only 14%. The rate of survival differs by age, type of leukemia and previous health status. In the case of acute lymphocytic Leukemia the rate is 58%, in the chronic form it reaches 71%, in acute myelogenous Leukemia the rate is 14% and the chronic form reaches 32% five-year survival.

In present there are about 144000 patients suffering from Leukemia in the USA. The rate of survival in children suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia is 81% if detected in early stage. For children diagnosed with acute myelogenic Leukemia the rate is 43%.

In 2001 about 12500 male subjects are known to have died from Leukemia and a lower number of 9500 women, in the United States. The estimated number of chronic lymphocytic deaths yet to occur is 4600 and 1400 from acute lymphocytic forms. Acute myelogenous Leukemia is expected to produce 7200 deaths and chronic myelogenous Leukemia about 2300 deaths. Other forms of leukemia will be responsible for approximately 600 death cases.

For males under 40 and for women less than 20 leukemia represents the main cause of death. The estimated rate of deaths in males of Leukemia is 25% higher than in females. The percent of death cases in children has decreased in the last 30 years but the rate still remains high.