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Understanding leukemia

Frequently asked questions

People facing leukemia and their loved ones often ask the same questions: “Can it be cured?”, “How long will treatment take?”, “Will I be able to work?”, “Will I be able to have children?”. This topic gathers the most common questions in one place, gives short and honest answers and shows where to read more.

Last updated: ~6 min read
Several floating translucent glowing spheres on a dark navy background, with soft silhouettes of blood cells visible inside them.
Figure 1.Concept: every question has its own bright answer.

01Short answer

Leukemia is a blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow; there are acute and chronic, myeloid and lymphoid forms, and treatment differs greatly by type. Leukemia is not contagious and is usually not inherited. In the US, 5-year relative survival for all leukemias combined is about 69%, but this figure varies widely by type. The length of treatment also varies: intensive treatment for acute leukemia lasts months, ALL treatment including the maintenance phase takes about 2 years, CML medicines are often taken for years, and in some cases of CLL no treatment is needed for a long time. After chemotherapy, hair usually grows back within 2–3 months. Answers about fertility, work, exercise and travel are personal, so it is important to discuss them with your team.

02Simple explanation

What is leukemia? In the bone marrow, the DNA of one blood cell changes and it starts multiplying without maturing. These abnormal cells leave no room for healthy blood cells. Read more in “What is leukemia?”.

Can leukemia be cured? It depends on the type. With modern treatment, most children with ALL and some adults reach long-lasting remission, and types such as CML can be kept under control for many years. Your own chances depend on the type, its genetic features, your age and how you respond to treatment.

Is leukemia contagious or inherited? It is not contagious. In most cases it is not inherited either: the DNA changes arise during life and are not passed on to children. There are rare inherited tendencies; our risk factors topic covers them.

How is it diagnosed? A blood test raises the suspicion, and a bone marrow test plus special tests (flow cytometry, cytogenetics, molecular tests) pin down the type. Read more in the “Diagnosis and tests” section.

Is it my fault? No. Leukemia is not the result of anything a person did or did not do. This question troubles many people; you can share it with your doctor or a psychologist.

03Scientific explanation

How common is leukemia? According to the NCI’s SEER data, about 67,790 new cases of leukemia are expected in the US in 2026, which is 3.2% of all new cancer cases. The median age at diagnosis is 68, and leukemia is most often found at ages 65–74. Even so, leukemia is also one of the most common cancers in children.

Survival: according to SEER, 5-year relative survival for all leukemias combined in the US is 68.6% (2016–2022). According to the American Cancer Society, the figure for children with ALL is about 90%. A Swedish study from 2016 found that life expectancy for people with CML has come close to that of the general population. The NCI reminds readers that statistics describe large groups and do not predict any one person’s future.

How long does treatment take? According to the American Cancer Society, treatment for ALL in adults usually takes about 2 years, most of it in the maintenance phase. According to the NCI, AML treatment has an induction phase and a post-remission phase. In CML, targeted medicines are often taken long term. According to the NCI, early CLL without symptoms may be watched without starting treatment.

Hair and fertility: according to the NCI, hair often starts to grow back 2–3 months after chemotherapy ends; the new hair may be a little different from before. The 2018 ASCO guideline advises discussing fertility preservation before treatment starts and as early as possible.

04What happens in the body?

When should you get urgent help?

This is the most important question. If during treatment you have a temperature of 38 °C or higher, shivering, severe weakness, confusion, breathlessness, bleeding that will not stop or a severe headache, call your hematology team’s 24-hour number straight away or call an ambulance. Do not wait until morning.

Questions about treatment

The type of treatment is chosen according to the type of leukemia, its genetic features and your general health: chemotherapy, targeted medicines, immunotherapy, a stem cell transplant or watchful monitoring. Some treatment is given in hospital, some as an outpatient. Ask about the aim, length and possible side effects of each phase. Read more in “How is a treatment plan made?”.

A long glowing line on a dark navy background, with translucent shining points of different sizes along it suggesting phases of treatment.
Figure 2.How long treatment lasts depends on the type of leukemia: from months to years.

Questions about daily life

Many people keep working or studying during or after treatment; sometimes the schedule needs to change. Light physical activity is usually helpful, but very low platelets or neutrophils call for special care. Make decisions about travel, pets and visitors with the team that knows your blood counts.

A tender green leaf rising among translucent blood cells in warm dawn light on a dark navy background.
Figure 3.Everyday life continues during and after treatment.

Questions about the future

After remission, regular follow-up visits continue. Some treatments have late effects, for example on the heart, fertility or energy levels; watching for them is part of follow-up. Many people return to work, family life and the things they love after treatment. Ask your own doctor specifically about your risk of relapse.

Questions from loved ones

Loved ones often ask: “How can I help?” Practical help, such as lifts, meals, childcare and paperwork, is very valuable. Visiting only when well, washing hands and simply listening are support too. Carers also need rest and support of their own.

05From a question to an answer

The road to a reliable answer (simplified).

A question comes up — Worry or curiosity.1A question comes upWorry or curiosity.
Write it down — Keep the question until your appointment.2Write it downKeep the question until your appointment.
Trustworthy source — This site, the NCI, the ACS and similar.3Trustworthy sourceThis site, the NCI, the ACS and similar.
Talk to your doctor — Fit the answer to your own situation.4Talk to your doctorFit the answer to your own situation.
Open conversationThere are no silly questions.
Detailed topicsA separate guide for each question.
SupportYou are not alone.

06Short answers and where to read more

QuestionShort answerDetailed topic
Is leukemia contagious?NoRisk factors
Is leukemia inherited?In most cases, noRisk factors
Can it be cured?Many people reach long-lasting remission; it depends on the typeHow to understand the statistics
How long does treatment take?From months to years; it depends on the typeHow is a treatment plan made?
Will I lose my hair?With some treatments, yes; it usually grows backSide effects
Will I be able to have children?Often yes; discuss it before treatmentHow is a treatment plan made?
What should I eat?Balanced and safe foodNutrition basics during treatment
Will I be able to work?Often yes, sometimes with a changed scheduleWork, study and finances

* These answers are for general understanding. Only your hematology team can give the answer that applies to you.

07Key terms

Leukemia
A blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow.
Acute leukemia
A fast-developing leukemia made of immature cells.
Chronic leukemia
A slow-developing leukemia made of more mature cells.
Remission
A decrease in or disappearance of the signs of leukemia after treatment.
Relapse
The return of leukemia after remission.
Maintenance
Long-term, usually gentler treatment to keep remission.
Relative survival
Survival of patients compared with the general population of the same age.
Watchful waiting
Regular monitoring without treatment while there are no symptoms.
Alopecia
Hair loss.
Fertility
The ability to have children.

08Key points

  • Leukemia is not contagious and is usually not inherited.
  • Leukemia is nobody’s fault.
  • Many types of leukemia can go into long-lasting remission or be controlled for a long time.
  • How long treatment lasts depends on the type of leukemia.
  • Hair usually grows back after treatment.
  • Discuss fertility before treatment starts.
  • A fever during treatment is an emergency.
  • Ask your team for the answer that applies to you.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I work during treatment?

It depends on the type of leukemia, the treatment and the kind of work you do. A break is usually needed during intensive treatment for acute leukemia, while many people with chronic leukemia keep working. Talk to your doctor about the risk of infection.

Can I exercise?

Light, regular activity such as walking or gentle exercise often reduces tiredness. With very low platelets you may need to avoid sports with a risk of injury, and with low neutrophils, crowded gyms and swimming pools.

Can my pet stay at home?

Often yes, but some rules apply: someone else should clean the litter tray or cage, and you should protect yourself from scratches and bites. Read more in “Hand hygiene and your home”.

Can I travel?

During treatment this depends on your blood counts and the phase of treatment. Before long trips, talk to your doctor, take your medicines and medical documents with you and find out about medical care at your destination.

Can I have children after treatment?

Many people become parents after treatment. Some treatments can affect fertility, so ways to protect it should be discussed before treatment starts. Ask your doctor when it is safe to plan a pregnancy.

Does leukemia hurt?

Some people have bone pain, others have no pain at all. If pain comes with tests or treatment, there are medicines and techniques to control it. Do not hide pain; tell your team.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. What should I pay most attention to in my situation?

  2. How can I get my questions to you before the next appointment?

  3. In which situations should I call without waiting for the next appointment?

  4. Can someone close to me attend appointments?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Leukemia — Patient Version
  2. National Cancer Institute (NCI), SEER. Cancer Stat Facts: Leukemia
  3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Understanding Cancer Prognosis
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions
  5. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Hair Loss (Alopecia) and Cancer Treatment
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Female Fertility and Cancer Treatment
  7. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Male Fertility and Cancer Treatment
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  9. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  10. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  11. American Cancer Society. Typical Treatment of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
  12. American Cancer Society. Prognostic Factors and Survival Rates for Childhood Leukemia
  13. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2016. Bower H et al. Life Expectancy of Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Approaches the Life Expectancy of the General Population
  14. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2018. Fertility Preservation in Patients With Cancer: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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