It is important to remember that leukemia does not discriminate;it strikes people of all ages, races and sexes. Leukemia is not caused by an inherited genetic predisposition. Childhood leukemia has been linked to high doses of radiation, and there have been possible associations with electromagnetic fields and exposure to toxic chemicals, while AML has been associated with exposure to radiation and chemotherapy for other types of cancer. A recent study found that children who had been breast-fed for at least one month had a 21 percent lower risk of developing either AML or ALL.

Treatment is different for each type of leukemia and usually involves chemotherapy, radiation or both. The goal of treatment for most types of leukemia is remission. With acute leukemias, this can take several weeks to a month. In patients with chronic leukemia, remission may take several months. The exception is chronic lymphocytic leukemia, in which the goal of treatment is simply the eradication of symptoms and controlling the growth of the disease.

Chemotherapy is the primary treatment of leukemia; this involves the use of anti-cancer drugs taken either orally or intravenously. Leukemia patients usually receive a combination of these drugs.

Radiation is used to treat local areas involved with leukemia, such as the central nervous system. Radation consists of using high-energy X-rays, many times more powerful than a normal chest X-ray, to destroy the ability of cells to grow and divide. In terms of side effects, radiation may cause the skin in the treated area to look and feel sunburned. This gradually fades and usually returns to normal in six to 12 months. Other reported side effects include tiredness, nausea and diarrhea.

In patients with advanced leukemia and those at high risk of a relapse of their disease, blood stem cell or bone marrow transplantation may induce durable remissions. For detailed information on this treatment, see the summary on bone marrow transplantation.