Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells of the blood and marrow.

There are 2 main forms, which behave very differently:

• Acute Leukaemia
  • Onset is abrupt and rapidly develops with accumulation of immature precursor blast cells. Needs urgent attention.
• Chronic Leukaemia
  • Often indolent, slow growing and present for a long time before diagnosed. May not require treatment in the initial stages. Causes problems as the white ell count rises, due to mature cells accumulating, and tumour burden rises over time.