The five-year relative survival rate of leukemia is 65.7%. New diagnosis rates have been declining 0.7% each year, while death rates have been declining 1.9% each year from 2010 to 2019.
This article will highlight important facts and statistics you should know about leukemia.
Leukemia Overview
There are multiple types of leukemia. They fall into two general categories of acute (developing suddenly and are short-lived) and chronic (developing over a long period of time and are long term). Leukemia is further classified into other types that are named for the type of cell that becomes malignant. The types of leukemia include:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)
How Common Is Leukemia?
Leukemia is the eleventh most common cancer in the United States. Although children can get leukemia, it is most often diagnosed in adults.
In 2015–2019, an average of 18 men out of 100,000 were diagnosed with leukemia each year, and an average of 11 women out of 100,000 were diagnosed with the disease each year.
New cases of leukemia have been declining at a rate of 0.7% each year since 2010.
Leukemia by Ethnicity and Sex
Leukemia occurs across all ethnicities. Non-Hispanic White people are more often diagnosed with it than people of other ethnicities.
The median age at diagnosis is 67 years old. Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with leukemia, and adults are more likely to be diagnosed than children. The chart reviews the percentage of cases of leukemia by age groups.
Although the exact cause of leukemia isn’t known, there are some risk factors that have been associated with the development of this cancer.
Death from leukemia is most common in people 65 and older, with the median age of 75. The risk of death from leukemia increases with age:
Screening and Early Detection
There are currently no screening tests for leukemia. It is often found when symptoms of the disease are present, and tests are done to investigate the symptoms. It may also be found when routine lab work is done for general health purposes.
It is not an individual prognosis (prospect of recovery), which a healthcare provider would make in consideration of the person’s age, cancer stage, their overall health, and other factors.
A common blood test that can raise suspicions of leukemia is a complete blood count (CBC). This blood test measures and categorizes cells in the blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Too many, too few, or immature types of these cells in the blood can prompt further tests for leukemia.
One way to help detect leukemia early is to get regular checkups with your healthcare provider and report any abnormal signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing. Symptoms of leukemia can include:
Unexplained feversNight sweatsChillsUnintentional weight lossFeeling tired
Summary
Leukemia is a blood cancer that can be diagnosed in both children and adults but is most commonly diagnosed in people 65 and over. Although childhood leukemia is rare, it is the most common cancer in children. There are multiple types of leukemia, classified as either acute or chronic and named for the type of cell that becomes malignant.
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