Everything you need to know about leukemia — from acute and chronic subtypes to symptoms, staging, treatment options, and life after diagnosis — explained clearly by Dr. Aditya Sarin.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every case of leukemia is different. Please consult Dr Aditya Sarin or a qualified oncologist for evaluation, diagnosis and a treatment plan specific to your condition.
4
Main types — two acute, two chronic
87%
CLL 5-year survival rate
65,000+
New US cases annually, all types
#1
Most common cancer in children
Persistent fatigue, easy bruising, or infections deserve a blood test, not a guess. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Aditya Sarin today.
Section 01
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. It develops when the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells that crowd out healthy red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells.
Leukemia is classified along two axes: whether it affects myeloid or lymphoid cells, and whether it is acute, meaning fast-growing, or chronic, meaning slow-growing. These distinctions produce four main types, each behaving differently and requiring its own treatment approach.
Section 02
Types of Leukemia
Leukemia is not a single disease. Understanding whether it is acute or chronic, and whether it affects myeloid or lymphoid cells, is essential to designing the right treatment plan. Dr. Aditya Sarin evaluates each case individually, including cytogenetic and molecular testing, to determine the precise subtype.
Acute Leukemia
Acute leukemias progress quickly, with immature blood cells, called blasts, multiplying rapidly and crowding out healthy cells. They require prompt treatment, usually starting within days of diagnosis.
Most Common in Adults
AML — Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Affects myeloid cells. The average age at diagnosis is around 69.
Most Common in Children
ALL — Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Affects lymphoid cells and progresses quickly without treatment. It also affects adults.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic leukemias progress slowly, often over months or years, with more mature-looking cells than acute forms. Some chronic leukemias are monitored for a period before treatment begins.
Most Common in Adults
CLL — Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Usually diagnosed in people over 55, and often found incidentally on a routine blood test.
Genetically Driven
CML — Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Marked by a specific genetic abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome, which drives uncontrolled cell growth and is directly targeted by modern treatment.
Rare Subtypes
Hairy Cell & Prolymphocytic Leukemia
Share features with the chronic lymphocytic leukemias and require specialised evaluation.
Section 03
Symptoms of Leukemia
Leukemia symptoms result from abnormal cells crowding out healthy blood cells, and often develop gradually in chronic types but quickly in acute types.
Persistent fatigue and weakness
Frequent or recurring infections
Easy bruising or bleeding, including nosebleeds or bleeding gums
Petechiae — tiny red or purple spots under the skin
Bone or joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin
Unexplained fever, night sweats, or weight loss
Abdominal fullness or discomfort from an enlarged spleen or liver
Note: Chronic leukemias, particularly CLL, may cause no symptoms at all in the early stages and are frequently discovered through a routine complete blood count performed for an unrelated reason.
Section 04
Causes & Risk Factors
The exact cause of leukemia is not fully understood, but several factors are known to increase risk. Being aware of your risk profile allows for earlier and more targeted evaluation.
Age
Most leukemias, apart from ALL, are more common in older adults. ALL is the most common cancer in children.
Radiation & Chemical Exposure
High-dose radiation exposure and prolonged exposure to benzene are linked to a higher risk of AML in particular.
Prior Cancer Treatment
Certain chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy used for a previous cancer can increase the risk of developing leukemia years later.
Genetic Conditions
Inherited conditions such as Down syndrome, and a family history of CLL, are linked to increased leukemia risk.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean a person will develop leukemia, and many people diagnosed have no identifiable risk factor at all.
Section 05
Leukemia Screening & Early Detection
There is no routine population-wide screening test for leukemia. Early detection depends on recognising symptoms and, for many chronic cases, incidental findings on routine blood work.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A standard blood test that can reveal abnormal white blood cell counts, often the first clue that leads to further evaluation.
Peripheral Blood Smear
Blood examined under a microscope to look for abnormal or immature cells.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
A sample of bone marrow tissue confirms a leukemia diagnosis and helps determine the exact subtype.
Cytogenetic & Molecular Testing
Tests such as testing for the Philadelphia chromosome in CML identify the specific genetic drivers that guide targeted treatment selection.
An abnormal blood count does not confirm leukemia. Infections and other conditions can also affect blood counts, which is why further testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Section 06
Staging & Classification of Leukemia
Leukemia does not use the same tumour-based staging system as solid cancers like breast or prostate cancer. Instead, each type has its own classification system reflecting how it actually behaves. This guidance is current as of 2026.
Type
How it is classified
AML
Classified by genetic and molecular subtype (per WHO and ELN criteria) rather than a numbered stage, since these markers most directly predict treatment response.
ALL
Classified by immunophenotype (B-cell or T-cell) and specific genetic markers, which guide risk-stratified treatment protocols.
CLL
Staged using the Rai or Binet system, based on blood counts, lymph node involvement, and organ enlargement.
CML
Classified by phase — chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase — based on the percentage of immature cells (blasts) present.
For CLL, higher Rai or Binet stages reflect more extensive disease and generally guide the timing of treatment. For CML, most patients are diagnosed in the chronic phase, which responds very well to modern targeted therapy.
Survival statistics are population averages. They describe outcomes across large groups of patients and do not predict what will happen to any individual patient.
Leukemia survival outcomes in India
Measure
Value
Childhood ALL, 5-year overall survival (hospital and population-based studies)
45–81%, commonly >60%
Childhood ALL, 5-year net survival (CONCORD global surveillance, 2000–2009 cohort)
India-specific outcome data for adult AML and CML is more limited, though registry efforts such as the Indian Acute Leukemia Research Database are actively working to close this gap.
Section 08
Treatment Options for Leukemia
Treatment is tailored to the specific leukemia type, genetic subtype, and the patient's overall health. Dr. Aditya Sarin develops a comprehensive, personalised treatment plan for every patient.
Chemotherapy
Intensive combination chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment for most acute leukemias.
Targeted Therapy
Drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors act directly on the genetic driver of CML and are transforming outcomes for this type.
Immunotherapy
Antibody-based treatments that help the immune system identify and destroy leukemia cells, used across several leukemia types.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
A patient's own T-cells are engineered to recognise and destroy leukemia cells, an option for certain relapsed or refractory cases, particularly ALL.
Stem Cell Transplant
Allogeneic stem cell transplant offers a potential cure for eligible high-risk or relapsed patients, particularly in AML.
Targeted Oral Combinations
All-oral, fixed-duration regimens combining a BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor now offer a chemotherapy-free frontline option for CLL.
Radiation Therapy
Used less often than in solid tumours, but may have a role in specific situations, such as before a stem cell transplant.
Active Surveillance
For early-stage, asymptomatic CLL, regular monitoring without immediate treatment is often the appropriate first approach.
Section 09
Latest Advances in Leukemia Treatment
Leukemia treatment has changed meaningfully in the past year, particularly for genetically defined subtypes of AML and for frontline CLL care. As of 2026, notable developments include the following.
1
FDA Expansion · October 2025 · NPM1-Mutated AML
A new option for the most common AML mutation
In October 2025, the FDA expanded approval of revumenib to adults and children with NPM1-mutated AML, the most common genetic mutation in adult AML. This expansion means the drug can now potentially reach up to 40% of AML patients, a substantial increase from its earlier, narrower approval for KMT2A-mutated AML.
On February 20, 2026, the FDA approved the combination of acalabrutinib and venetoclax for previously untreated adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. This is the first all-oral, fixed-duration frontline regimen for CLL, offering patients a defined treatment period and the possibility of time off treatment afterward.
Whether either of these developments applies to a given patient depends on leukemia subtype, genetic testing results, and prior treatment history, and should be discussed directly with an oncologist.
Section 10
Living with Leukemia
A leukemia diagnosis affects not just physical health but emotional well-being and quality of life. Comprehensive support — from managing infection risk to emotional care — is an integral part of treatment at every stage.
Infection Prevention
Practical guidance to reduce infection risk during periods of low blood counts, a common concern during and after treatment.
Counselling & Support Groups
Professional emotional support and peer groups for patients and families navigating diagnosis and treatment.
Nutrition & Fatigue Management
Personalised dietary guidance and strategies to manage treatment-related fatigue and rebuild strength.
Section 11
Why Early Detection Matters
A simple blood test can catch leukemia long before symptoms become severe. The earlier we know what we're dealing with, the more options we have.
— Dr. Aditya Sarin, Medical Oncologist
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is often found incidentally through a routine blood test, well before symptoms appear.
CML diagnosed in the chronic phase responds far better to targeted therapy than disease caught in a later phase.
Persistent fatigue, easy bruising, or frequent infections deserve a blood test, not assumptions.
A complete blood count is a simple, low-cost first step that can prompt further evaluation early.
Don't dismiss unexplained bruising or fatigue as "just being tired." Ask your doctor for a blood test.
Section 12
Frequently Asked Questions about Leukemia
What is the first sign of leukemia?
Common early signs include persistent fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, and bone or joint pain. Chronic types like CLL often cause no symptoms and are found through a routine blood test.
Can leukemia be cured?
Outcomes vary significantly by type. Childhood ALL has a high cure rate, often above 85 to 90%. CML is now well controlled long-term with targeted therapy for most patients. AML remains more challenging, particularly in older adults, though newer targeted drugs are improving outcomes for specific genetic subtypes.
Is leukemia hereditary?
Most leukemias are not directly inherited, though a family history of CLL modestly increases risk, and certain inherited conditions, such as Down syndrome, raise the risk of acute leukemia.
What is the difference between acute and chronic leukemia?
Acute leukemia progresses quickly and requires prompt treatment, usually within days of diagnosis. Chronic leukemia progresses slowly, sometimes over years, and is occasionally monitored before treatment begins.
How is leukemia diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically starts with a complete blood count and blood smear, followed by a bone marrow biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, along with cytogenetic and molecular testing to identify the exact subtype.
Why does CML respond so well to targeted therapy?
CML is driven by a specific genetic abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome, which produces an abnormal protein that targeted drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors can block directly, transforming what was once a life-threatening disease into a manageable, long-term condition for most patients.
What is the best treatment approach for Leukemia in Delhi?
Effective leukemia treatment in Delhi starts with accurate subtyping through bone marrow biopsy and genetic testing, since acute and chronic leukemias, and their many subtypes, are treated very differently. Dr. Aditya Sarin, ESMO board-certified and trained in precision oncology, offers this subtype-driven, personalised approach for leukemia patients in Delhi.
Section 13 · Why Dr. Aditya Sarin
Why Trust Dr. Aditya Sarin for Leukemia Care?
ESMO Board Certified · Harvard Trained · Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
Experienced Leukemia Specialist
ESMO Board Certified oncologist with advanced training in precision oncology and cancer genomics from Harvard Medical School.
Advanced Treatment Options
Access to the latest targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and personalised treatment protocols tailored to your specific leukemia subtype.
Comprehensive Support
Personalised treatment plans, emotional counselling, and end-to-end support for patients and their families.
Affordable & Accessible Care
High-quality oncology care with insurance assistance, flexible appointment options, and both in-person and remote consultations.
Mon – Fri (Morning) 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mon – Fri (Evening) 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Early Detection Saves Lives
Don't wait for symptoms — a simple blood test today can change everything tomorrow. If you've noticed persistent fatigue, unusual bruising, or simply want expert guidance on your blood health, speak with Dr. Aditya Sarin — a trusted leukemia specialist in New Delhi.
