Yes, having leukemia does reduce life expectancy. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, and it can be very difficult to treat. The average life expectancy after being diagnosed with leukemia can depend on many factors, such as the type of leukemia, its stage of development, and the patient’s age and overall health. In general, life expectancy is lower for people with acute leukemia, which is a rapidly progressing form of the disease, than for those with chronic leukemia, which is a slower-growing form.
The most important factor in determining life expectancy is the type of leukemia. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of childhood leukemia, and it has a higher survival rate than other forms of leukemia. For adults, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is more common, and it has a lower survival rate.
In addition, the stage of the leukemia at the time of diagnosis can impact life expectancy. If the leukemia is caught early, before it has spread, patients may have a better prognosis and longer life expectancy. On the other hand, if the leukemia has spread to other organs or tissues, life expectancy is likely to be much lower.
Finally, life expectancy is also affected by the patient’s age and overall health. For example, younger patients and those with no other health problems tend to have a better prognosis than older patients and those with other health conditions.
In general, the life expectancy after being diagnosed with leukemia is lower than that of people without the illness. However, there have been many advances in the treatment of leukemia in recent years, and these advances have resulted in improved survival rates and longer life expectancies for many patients.