Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the body's blood cells and bone marrow. It is mainly caused by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells, which can interfere with the production of healthy red and white blood cells and platelets. While leukemia can affect people of any age, some types of leukemia are more common in certain age groups.
Childhood Leukemia
Childhood leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and is typically diagnosed between the ages of 0-14. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia among children, accounting for about 75% of all childhood leukemia cases. The risk of developing ALL increases with age, with the highest incidence occurring between 2-5 years of age.
Adolescent and Young Adult Leukemia
Adolescent and young adult (AYA) leukemia is a rare form of leukemia that occurs in people aged 15-39. The most common type of AYA leukemia is acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which accounts for approximately 50% of cases. Other types of AYA leukemia include acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Adult Leukemia
Adult leukemia is the most common form of leukemia in adults, typically diagnosed in people aged 40 and older. The most common type of adult leukemia is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which accounts for approximately 30-40% of all adult leukemia cases. Other types of adult leukemia include acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
Overall, leukemia can affect people of any age, but some types of the disease are more common in certain age groups. Childhood leukemia is the most common type of cancer among children, while adolescent and young adult leukemia and adult leukemia are more common in their respective age groups.