10 Interesting Facts about Leukemia
How did leukemia get its name?
Leukemia is a fitting name for this disease. It’s believed the medical world has known about leukemia for about 1,500 years. The name is derived from an Ancient Greek word that means “white blood.” Historical records show that 5th century doctors were able to recognize the disease, but treatment options were not available until much later, in the 19th century.
What is the most common type of cancer?
Leukemia is the most common type of cancer – but leukemia is rarely a fast-acting cancer. At present, around 310,000 Americans currently live with the disease. The average five-year survival rate of leukemia is about 54 percent.
How many new cases of cancer will be diagnosed this year?
4. This year, approximately 1.7 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed this year in the USA. And 609,640 cancer deaths are projected. Of those, the number of deaths from leukemia is about 6.7 per 100,000 per year.
How many people will be diagnosed with leukemia this year?
In 2018, 60,300 people are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Where in the body does leukemia start?
Leukemia typically involves the white blood cells. Your white blood cells are powerful infection fighters — normally grow and divide in an systematic way, when your body needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells, which don't function properly.
Who is at highest risk of getting leukemia?
Men are at higher risk than women. In fact, men are 31 percent more likely to be diagnosed with leukemia than women. And men die 30% more often than women from the disease. White men have the highest rate of developing leukemia, followed by African-American men, Latino men, Asian men, and then Native Americans.
What are the symptoms of leukemia?
Leukemia throws out lots of red flags – though symptoms vary depending on type and stage. Feelings of fatigue, frequent infections, night sweats are hallmarks of the disease. As well, those with leukemia tend to bruise more easily, have bleeding gums, pain in joints, and swollen lymph nodes.
What is the most common cancer in children?
Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and adolescents, accounting for about one out of every three cancers. It is also the most common type of blood cancer in those over 55.
Is age a risk factor?
Yes. Age can be a risk factor for leukemia. While leukemia can occur at any age, it is most common in people over 60. Most people with CML type of leukemia are actually now considered to have a chronic – rather than potentially fatal – illness.
Are survival rates for leukemia improving?
The good news? The five-year survival rate for leukemia is improving. And promising treatments are on the horizon.
