Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells. It starts in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. Your marrow normally makes three kinds of blood cells. White blood cells fight infection. Red blood cells carry oxygen. Platelets help your blood clot. In leukemia, abnormal white blood cells grow out of control. They crowd out the healthy cells.

When should I call my care team?

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or shaking chills; Bleeding that will not stop, blood in urine or stool, or vomiting blood; New bruises, or tiny red or purple spots on the skin; Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat; Severe headache, confusion, trouble speaking, or being very hard to wake up; Sudden weight gain, swelling, or trouble breathing while on AML or APL treatment; Dizziness, fainting, or feeling very weak; Vomiting or diarrhea that will not stop, or you cannot keep fluids down or take your pills; Peeing much less than usual; New rash, severe diarrhea, or yellow skin or eyes after a stem cell transplant.

What chemotherapy plans are used for leukemia?

Common treatment plans include 7+3, ATRA and ATO, C10403 (CALGB 10403), CLAG-M, FCR, FLAG-IDA, HiDAC, Hyper-CVAD, IBR, POMP. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a group of blood cancers, and newer treatments help many people live longer or be cured.

Hi, I'm Rosa. Today we'll go through leukemia together, one step at a time. I'll keep it simple, and you can pause me, go back, or skip ahead whenever you like. Just so you know, this is for learning only. It is not medical advice, so please check everything with your own doctor and care team. Okay, let's get started.

What leukemia is

Let's start with the basics. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells. It starts in the bone marrow. That is the soft, spongy tissue inside your bones. Your marrow makes white cells, red cells, and platelets. In leukemia, abnormal white cells grow out of control. They crowd out the healthy cells. Acute leukemia grows fast and needs treatment right away. Chronic leukemia grows slowly, sometimes over many years. Some people feel tired or bruise easily. Others have no symptoms at all. Your care team will explain the goal of your treatment.

The main types

Let's talk briefly about the types. Acute myeloid leukemia grows fast. It is the most common acute leukemia in adults. Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a special type. It is treated as an emergency, and treatment works very well. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia grows fast in young lymphocytes. Chronic myeloid leukemia grows slowly and is treated with daily pills. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common leukemia in adults. Many people with it do not need treatment for years. There are other rare types too. Ask your care team which one you have.

Tests you may have

Now let's talk about tests. A complete blood count counts your white cells, red cells, and platelets. A blood smear looks at your blood under a microscope. A bone marrow biopsy takes a small sample from the hip. You get numbing medicine first. Flow cytometry reads markers on the cells. It shows the exact kind of leukemia. Chromosome and gene tests look for changes in the leukemia cells. A spinal tap checks the fluid around the brain and spine. Tissue typing helps find a donor if you need a transplant.

Risk groups and phases

Next up, let's talk about risk groups. Most leukemias do not have stages like other cancers. That is because leukemia is already in the blood and marrow. Instead, doctors use risk groups or phases. These are mostly based on gene changes. Why do they matter? They help your care team plan treatment. They also help everyone talk the same language. Chronic myeloid leukemia has phases. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia does use stages. Remission means no signs of leukemia on tests. Your doctor will explain what this means for you.

Gene and marker tests

Before we move to treatment, there are some things to know. Leukemia cells have gene changes that healthy cells do not. Testing for these changes is a key part of diagnosis. There are many different markers. Each one has a different role in different leukemias. Some point to a pill made for that exact change. Results can take days to a couple of weeks. Your doctor will tell you which ones you have and what they mean. You can read more in the guide. The Questions to ask page can help too.

Main treatment options

Now let's look at treatment. For fast-growing leukemia, a first strong round of chemotherapy aims for remission. You may stay in the hospital for several weeks. More treatment after remission helps keep leukemia away. Targeted pills work on certain gene changes. Some people take a daily pill for years. Immune treatments help your own cells attack leukemia. A stem cell transplant uses healthy cells from a donor. Some slow-growing leukemia only needs watching at first. Clinical trials are research studies that may offer new options. Ask your care team if one fits you.

Side effects and what helps

Let's talk about side effects. Leukemia and its treatment lower the cells that fight germs. A fever can be an emergency, so call right away. Wash your hands often and avoid sick people. Many people need blood or platelet transfusions. Low platelets can cause easy bruising. A soft toothbrush and an electric razor help. Feeling very tired is common. Short walks and rest can help. Nausea medicine works best before you feel sick. We have a whole side effects guide on this site.

Living well with it

Last, let's talk about living well. After treatment, you will have regular blood tests. Some people take a daily pill for years. Taking every dose matters. Never stop a pill on your own. Stay up to date on your vaccines. Ask what checkups you need. It is normal to feel worried or sad. Social workers and support groups can help. Call right away for a fever, heavy bleeding, or trouble breathing. If it feels very bad, call 911. Also see our new Screening, prevention and survivorship section.

You did great today. That was a lot, and you took it one step at a time. Write down your questions and bring them to your next visit. Call your care team any time something worries you. You are not alone in this.

Call your care team right away if you have

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or shaking chills
Bleeding that will not stop, blood in urine or stool, or vomiting blood
New bruises, or tiny red or purple spots on the skin
Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat
Severe headache, confusion, trouble speaking, or being very hard to wake up
Sudden weight gain, swelling, or trouble breathing while on AML or APL treatment
Dizziness, fainting, or feeling very weak
Vomiting or diarrhea that will not stop, or you cannot keep fluids down or take your pills
Peeing much less than usual
New rash, severe diarrhea, or yellow skin or eyes after a stem cell transplant

Treatment plans (regimens)

Medicines often used

Side effects: what helps

Sources

Quick answers

What is leukemia?: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells. It starts in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. Your marrow normally makes three kinds of blood cells. White blood cells fight infection. Red blood cells carry oxygen. Platelets help your blood clot. In leukemia, abnormal white blood cells grow out of control. They crowd out the healthy cells.
When should I call my care team?: Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or shaking chills; Bleeding that will not stop, blood in urine or stool, or vomiting blood; New bruises, or tiny red or purple spots on the skin; Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat; Severe headache, confusion, trouble speaking, or being very hard to wake up; Sudden weight gain, swelling, or trouble breathing while on AML or APL treatment; Dizziness, fainting, or feeling very weak; Vomiting or diarrhea that will not stop, or you cannot keep fluids down or take your pills; Peeing much less than usual; New rash, severe diarrhea, or yellow skin or eyes after a stem cell transplant.
What chemotherapy plans are used for leukemia?: Common treatment plans include 7+3, ATRA and ATO, C10403 (CALGB 10403), CLAG-M, FCR, FLAG-IDA, HiDAC, Hyper-CVAD, IBR, POMP. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.