A very aggressive leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells that progresses quickly and is difficult to treat. It is characterized by the rapid production of immature white blood cells, known as blasts, which take up space in the bone marrow, preventing the production of healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.
The most common type of very aggressive leukemia is acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is a rapidly progressing cancer that affects the production and function of white blood cells in the bone marrow. Symptoms of AML may include fatigue, fever, weight loss, night sweats, frequent infections, and anemia. It can also cause complications such as swelling in the face, hands, and feet, and an enlarged spleen or liver.
Other types of very aggressive leukemia include acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and hairy cell leukemia (HCL). ALL is characterized by the rapid production of immature lymphocytes in the bone marrow. It is most common in children and young adults. CML is a slowly progressing cancer of the white blood cells that affects adults over the age of 50, and HCL is a rare type of leukemia that affects older adults, typically those over 60 years of age.
Treatment for very aggressive leukemia typically involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or stem cell transplants. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the cancerous cells. Additionally, targeted therapies and immunotherapies may be used to help slow the progression of the disease. The prognosis for very aggressive leukemia varies depending on the type and stage of the disease, but it is usually difficult to treat and can be life-threatening.