Advice from our Woman’s Weekly doctor
Acute leukaemia develops suddenly, often within weeks, progressing quickly, and it needs urgent treatment. Chronic leukaemia develops more slowly, often over months or years. If you have leukaemia, your body makes abnormal blood cells, which behave differently from healthy ones. The four main types are: chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
Each type has its own characteristics and treatment, and the cause is unknown.
CML is commoner in over 65s, in men, and if you’ve had previous radiation exposure (occupational or therapeutic).
CLL is
