Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a haematological cancer, affecting the blood cells, it is important to ask your doctor or specialist what type of leukaemia is suspected. Leukaemias can be acute or chronic.

Acute leukaemias tend to progress rapidly. Chronic leukaemias tend to progress slowly.

The main types of leukaemia are:

• acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
• acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
• chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
• chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

People with acute leukaemia need very specialist treatment as they are very vulnerable to infection.

Any one with leukaemia or a related disease who is concerned about an infection must call their treatment centre immediately.

You can visit the NHS Choices website for information on cancer support groups in your area

You can also watch the below videos, where Michelle talks about being a bone marrow donor, and Sarah talks about her bone marrow transplant: