Leukemia is the cancer of your body’s blood-forming tissues, including the lymphatic system and the bone marrow. There are several common and rare types of leukemia. Though a few types of leukemia are more prevalent in children, most other variants develop in adults. This blood disorder involves the WBC (white blood cells), the body’s primary infection fighters. In people with leukemia, there is an abnormal production of the faulty WBCs by the bone marrow.

Common types of leukemia
Predominantly, there are four types of leukemia, including the following.

• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
  It is a typical kind of leukemia and occurs in both kids and adults. In adults, it is the most common variant of acute leukemia.

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
  It is the most prevalent type of leukemia seen in younger children. It may develop in adults too.

• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
  It is most prevalent in adults. Usually, a person with this leukemia might not showcase any symptoms in the initial few years or months. So, till the time the cells of leukemia proliferate, the symptoms are less.

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  It is chronic adult leukemia and does not cause any problem for years, even without treatment.

Rare types of leukemia
In addition to the above-listed leukemia types, there are also a few rare types of leukemia. These include:

• Hairy cell leukemia (HCL)
  It is a rare type of leukemia common in adults. HCL is a subtype of CLL. The disease has a slow progression and develops when the bone marrow produces a higher quantity of B Cells, which is a type of WBC known to fight infection. As there is a growth in the leukemia cells, lesser platelets, RBCs, and healthy WBCs are generated. Doctors usually detect this disorder when you get yourself tested for a lower blood count. It is called hairy leukemia because the affected cells appear hairy under a microscope. Only 2% of the total leukemia cases are of this type. The treatment for HCL is usually a success.

• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
  It is a cluster of a few closely associated diseases in which the bone marrow releases lesser RBCs (responsible for transporting oxygen), platelets (that stop or prevent bleeding) and WBCs (that combat infection), or a combination of all three. MDS is diagnosed when there are noted changes in the bone marrow and the blood cells. Since the bone marrow cells and the blood look dysplastic or abnormal, it is called the myelodysplastic syndromes. Earlier it was regarded as preleukemia, but now it is considered a form of cancer. There are about 13,000 cases of MDS in America every year.

• Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)
  It occurs when the bone marrow produces too many blood cells. There are many types of MPNs, such as essential thrombocythemia, eosinophilia, myelofibrosis, and polycythemia vera.