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What Factors Affect Leukemia Life Expectancy?

Marlene de Wilde
Marlene de Wilde

Leukemia life expectancy depends on the type of leukemia, the severity of the condition, and the age of the patient at the time of diagnosis. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells, and there are many kinds according to which type of white blood cells are affected. Children suffering from certain forms of leukemia have a better life expectancy in general than adults, but only if treatment is given.

There are two types of leukemia: chronic, in which the older, more mature abnormal cells accumulate and become too many; and acute leukemias, where young cells divide rapidly and frequently, inhibiting the normal development of all blood cells. Acute leukemia can be fatal within a very short time unless an aggressive treatment program is started. The progress of the disease is rapid as the immature blood cells accumulate and spread through the body quickly. Some types of acute leukemia are common in children. Leukemia life expectancy for acute forms usually ranges from a few months to a few years.

Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.

Chronic leukemia may be undetected in the body for many years. The progress of the disease is slower, and often treatment does not need to begin immediately; rather, the disease is monitored until the right therapy is judged to be necessary. Life expectancy for this kind of leukemia may be 10 years, 20 years or even longer.

Leukemia life expectancy also depends on the type of blood cells affected by the cancer. There are two groups of leukemia: lymphocytic and myelogenous, which are further divided into sub-groups, each with differing survival rates. Generally, though, leukemia is considered one of the most fatal cancers, with low life expectancy and an average survival rate of 43% over five years.

Age is one factor in leukemia life expectancy.
Age is one factor in leukemia life expectancy.

Lymphocytic leukemia is produced in the bone marrow when abnormal and immature lymphocytes take the place of healthy cells. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is common in young children and may also affect adults in their late 60s and over. More children than adults survive the disease, with the figures being about 85% for the former and 50% for the latter. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) does not occur in young children but may be found in teenagers. It usually affects adults after the age of 55. About 75% of sufferers will survive the disease for five years.

Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck is a symptom of leukemia.
Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck is a symptom of leukemia.

Myelogenous or myeloid leukemia originates from the marrow cells that develop into red blood cells. Again, leukemia life expectancy depends on whether the condition is acute or chronic. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) commonly affects men, and there is a 40% rate of survival over five years. Chronic myelogenous leukemia has the highest survival rate, at 90% after five years.

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

If I had a child with leukemia, I'd want them to go to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis. I live fairly close, so I hear about all the discoveries and research they do. I think it's just the best place for a child with any kind of cancer, really. They surely do have the best life expectancies and outcomes.

Early detection is always important, but I think that's more vital in other kinds of cancers. With leukemia, you can't always tell, and people have been brought back from death's door when they receive treatment.

It's all about the quality of the treatment and how much the doctor knows about treating the disease.

Pippinwhite

AML is bad news. For whatever reason, it's extremely difficult to get into remission, and then doesn't want to stay there. Children with AML don't have nearly as high a survival rate as ALL patients. I've seen a lot of children with AML who hang on for a while, but the outlook isn't good.

I think it all depends on the type of leukemia, as much as anything. Patients with the lymphocytic kind just tend to do better than the ones with myeloid leukemia.

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    • Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
      By: Alila
      Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
    • Age is one factor in leukemia life expectancy.
      By: Frantab
      Age is one factor in leukemia life expectancy.
    • Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck is a symptom of leukemia.
      By: Barabas Attila
      Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck is a symptom of leukemia.
    • Individuals with leukemia are unable to donate blood.
      By: Gina Sanders
      Individuals with leukemia are unable to donate blood.
    • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia usually affects adults over the age of 55.
      By: nebari
      Chronic lymphocytic leukemia usually affects adults over the age of 55.
    • The overall effectiveness of cancer treatment will depend upon the stage and type of cancer.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      The overall effectiveness of cancer treatment will depend upon the stage and type of cancer.
    • Leukemia may be diagnosed by analyzing blood samples.
      By: mario beauregard
      Leukemia may be diagnosed by analyzing blood samples.