Medically reviewed by NCIS Specialists. Last reviewed by Dr Melissa Ooi. Published on 30 October 2026.
The blood is composed of three main types of cells:
These cells are produced in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue inside bones. In a healthy body, blood cell production is tightly regulated.
Leukaemia is cancer of the blood cells and it starts in the bone marrow. It causes an uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells, called leukaemia cells. These cells do not function properly and grow uncontrollably, eventually crowding out normal blood cells. This leads to symptoms such as anaemia (low red cells), bleeding (low platelets), and infections (malfunctioning white cells).
Leukaemia is usually grouped into either chronic (conditions get worse slowly) or acute (conditions get worse quickly). This can be further sub-grouped into the following:
The different types of leukaemia will in turn determine the symptoms and ultimately the treatment prescribed.
Patients who have chronic leukaemia may not experience any symptoms and their condition is usually detected from routine blood tests. However, for patients with acute leukaemia, and as the conditions worsen for chronic leukaemia patients, symptoms may include:
A doctor should be consulted if the above symptoms occur.
Leukaemia is detected through:
| Importance of early detection Detecting leukaemia early can lead to more effective treatment, fewer complications, and better outcomes. Early diagnosis allows for timely intervention, which can improve survival rates and reduce the intensity of treatment required. |
There are different treatments available depending on the type of leukaemia. Other factors include your age, your overall health, and your own preferences. The types of treatment that may be prescribed are as follows.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to help kill leukaemia cells. Depending on the type of leukaemia, you may receive a single drug or a combination of two or more drugs. The drugs are given into a vein, by mouth, or into the cerebrospinal fluid. Once the drugs enter your system, they will spread throughout the body.
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Each treatment cycle is followed by a rest period. You may have your treatment in a clinic or at the doctor's office. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital for treatment.
Targeted therapy is the use of drugs to block the growth of leukaemia cells through the interference of specific targeted molecules. The drugs can be used to stop cancer cell progression, cause cancer cell death, and even stimulate the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells, while sparing the normal cells.
Biological therapy is the use of substances that bolster one's immune response to leukaemia. This can be administered through the vein or injected under the skin into a muscle. The drugs can either slow the growth of the leukaemia cells or help the immune system destroy the cells.
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill leukaemia cells or keep them from growing. In this case, radiation will be targeted at the spleen, the brain, or other parts of the body where leukaemia cells have collected.
A stem cell transplant is the replacement of the abnormal bone marrow with stem cells or marrow free of leukaemia from a compatible donor.
Before the stem cell transplant, you will receive either chemotherapy or radiation therapy in high dosages — in some cases, both may be prescribed. This will destroy all your leukaemia cells and normal blood cells in your bone marrow. After which, you will receive the healthy stem cells through a large vein.
The healthy stem cells may come from you or from someone who donates their stem cells to you:
After the transplant, the new blood cells will develop from the transplanted stem cells and replace those that were destroyed by the treatment. You may have to stay in the hospital for several weeks or months to recuperate.
After treatment for leukaemia, ongoing monitoring and supportive care are essential to manage side effects, detect recurrence, and improve long-term quality of life.
