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Acute vs. Chronic Leukemia: An Oncologist Explains the Difference
In this video, Sangmin Lee, MD, explains the differing characteristics and symptoms of acute leukemia and chronic leukemia.
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on December 22, 2023Blood cancer comes in many forms, each with unique characteristics, prognoses, and treatment options. Leukemia is a type of blood cancer (along with myeloma and lymphoma) that starts in the stem cells (early blood cells) of the bone marrow, according to Sangmin Lee, MD, hematologist-oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Leukemia can be divided into additional subtypes, depending on which blood cells are affected (myeloid or lymphocytic) and how quickly the leukemia is progressing (acute or chronic).
Additional Medical Contributors
- Sangmin Lee, MDDr. Lee is a hematologist-oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork Presbyterian.
References
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Leukemia.
American Cancer Society. (2018). What is chronic myeloid leukemia?
View All References (2)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (n.d.). Leukemia.
National Cancer Institute. Leukemia—patient version.
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