Acute Leukemia

Overview

Mayo Clinic offers compassionate, multidisciplinary treatment for acute leukemia in children and adults. Mayo Clinic hematologists treat 150 to 200 new patients every year, both children and adults. They work with skilled pathologists who are expert at identifying and classifying leukemia. In addition, Mayo Clinic physicians and researchers are investigating new therapies for acute leukemia, some of which are available in clinical trials. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic hematologists spend considerable time interviewing and examining patients to understand their disease. General tests can determine whether the leukemia affects internal organs. Conclusive diagnosis requires blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy.

Treatment options

Treatment strategies are based on the type and stage of the cancer and the needs of the patient. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for acute leukemia. Venous catheters and transfusions may also be used as necessary. Bone marrow transplant is another option. Read more about acute leukemia treatment.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About acute leukemia

Acute leukemia is a malignancy arising from bone marrow cells. Normal bone marrow contains immature cells (including hematopoietic stem cells) that produce mature blood cells, including red blood cells (carry oxygen), white blood cells (fight infection), and platelets (prevent bleeding). When some immature cells in the bone marrow become malignant, they reproduce in great numbers and crowd out normal cells. This condition, called acute leukemia, prevents production of normal cells.

Left untreated, acute leukemia can be fatal in weeks or months. But thanks to advances in treatment, acute leukemia is usually treatable and often curable.

Read more about acute myelogenous leukemia acute lymphocytic leukemia at MayoClinic.com.