Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells and is caused by genetic mutations. Leukemia is responsible for more deaths in children than any other cancer. It can affect adults as well as children, and is treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or bone marrow transplantation. Leukemia is a preventable and curable disease, however early diagnosis and treatment is critical for successful outcome. The long term outlook for patients with leukemia can vary greatly depending on the type and stage of the disease. Advances in cancer research and treatments over the past decades have improved the prognosis for people with leukemia.