There are four main types of leukemia, which are grouped based on which blood cells they affect and whether they are acute or chronic:Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)Rarer forms of leukemia (such as hairy cell leukemia) and preleukemic diseases (such as myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders) also exist. A subset of the preleukemic disorders progress to AML. (4)Your doctor can run certain tests to help determine what type of leukemia you have. Being educated about your specific type of cancer can empower you to make better decisions about your care.Learn More About Leukemia TypesAcute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Fast-Growing but Rare in AdultsAcute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) causes your bone marrow to produce large amounts of abnormal B and T cells, which don’t leave any room for healthy cells. ALL makes up 2 percent of leukemias, is more common in men and white people, and is the most common cancer type in children, according to StatPearls. People with ALL may be prone to easy bruising and bleeding, fatigue, and frequent infections. ALL can spread to different parts of the body, like your lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain, spinal cord, and testicles. This type of leukemia can be treated with two to three years of chemotherapy and stem cell transplants.Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): A Common Form of LeukemiaAcute myeloid leukemia is a fast-growing cancer that begins in the bone marrow — a spongy tissue inside certain bones. It affects myeloid cells in the bone marrow, which normally give rise to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Typical symptoms of the disease include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and bruising. Treatments range from chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation to targeted therapies.Learn More About Acute Myeloid LeukemiaChronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): A Slow-Growing CancerOf all the leukemias diagnosed in adulthood, CLL is the most common, affecting nearly 21,000 people each year. This form of leukemia rarely occurs in children and tends to be diagnosed most commonly in older adults. A variety of treatments are used to fight CLL, depending on the pace at which it is progressing. They range from chemotherapy and immunotherapy to a watch-and-wait approach. Small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL), a variant of CLL, is treated in a similar fashion, but in SLL, most of the cancerous cells live in the lymph nodes instead of the bone marrow and blood.Learn More About Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaChronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): An Uncommon Form of LeukemiaChronic myelogenous leukemia is much less common than other forms, only making up 15 percent of leukemia cases, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Also originating in the bone marrow, CML cells quickly fill that space and begin to spill into the blood. CML is most common in older adults and rare in children. This form of leukemia can come with no symptoms, and is often found through routine blood tests. The firstline treatment for CML is targeted therapy and many people experience long remissions.Hairy Cell Leukemia: A Highly Treatable CancerThis rare form of leukemia accounts for 1 to 2 percent of all cases of adult leukemia. Like other leukemias, it begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. It affects B cells (a type of lymphocyte), a white blood cell that, when normal, helps the body fight infection. When cancerous, these B cells develop a distinctive hairy appearance. Though this form of leukemia is considered incurable, it is highly treatable and symptoms can be easily controlled with therapy. Some diagnosed with the disease may even be asymptomatic and, if they’re able to maintain a normal blood count, will not require therapy, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).Learn More About Hairy Cell Leukemia