Questions and answers

The questions patients and families ask most

After a diagnosis, countless questions come to mind: is it contagious, will my children get it, can it be cured, how long will treatment last? In this topic we have gathered short, honest answers to the twelve questions patients and families ask most, and next to each one we point to the topic on our site where you can read more.

Last updated: 3 October 2026~6 min read

Translucent bubbles of different sizes with soft light inside, floating on a dark navy background; small blood cells can be seen between them. — **Figure 1.**Concept: every question matters, and every question has an answer.

01Short answer

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow; it is not contagious and in most cases is not inherited, because the changes that cause it arise in cells during a person’s life. Most often no specific cause can be found, and it is not the fault of the patient or the family. Many people reach remission, and some types of leukemia can be cured; the outlook depends on the type of leukemia, its genetic features and how it responds to treatment. The most important safety rule during treatment: if you have a fever, contact your hematology team straight away. These answers are general; ask your hematologist questions about your own situation.

02Simple explanation

Is leukemia cancer? Yes, it is a cancer of the blood-forming cells. But the word “cancer” does not mean the same outlook for everyone. Read more: What is leukemia?

Is it contagious or inherited? Leukemia does not spread through touch, the air or shared dishes. In most cases it is not inherited either. Read more: Risk factors

Can it be cured? This depends on the type of leukemia and many other factors. Read more: Classification, risk groups and prognosis and What is remission?

What should I do if I have a fever? During treatment, a temperature of 38 °C or higher is a reason to contact your team urgently. Read more: Fever: when to seek urgent care

How do I tell my family? An honest, age-appropriate conversation, step by step, helps. Read more: Talking with family and children

03Scientific explanation

Contagion: in its list of common cancer myths, the NCI notes that cancer does not spread to healthy people; hugging a patient, eating at the same table and caring for them are safe. Although some viruses raise the risk of certain cancers, leukemia itself is not contagious.

Inheritance: according to the NCI, most genetic changes that cause cancer arise in cells during life and are not passed on to children. The American Cancer Society lists some inherited syndromes and family tendencies as risk factors for AML, but these are rare. If several blood diseases run in the family, genetic counselling can be discussed.

Length of treatment: according to the American Cancer Society, most ALL treatment plans last about 2–3 years, because a long maintenance phase follows induction and consolidation. Intensive treatment for AML usually lasts several months. The NCI notes that in CML treatment is often long-term medication, and in CLL it is sometimes careful monitoring without treatment.

Hair loss: according to the NCI, many chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, but it is usually temporary and hair grows back after treatment ends. Not all drugs cause hair loss; you can ask about this before treatment starts.

04What happens in the body?

Questions about the diagnosis

What is this disease, why did I get it, is it contagious, can my family get it? These questions are completely normal. The most important answer: leukemia is nobody’s fault.

Questions about treatment

How long will treatment last, will I need to stay in hospital, will I lose my hair? The answers depend on the type of leukemia and the treatment chosen; discuss the treatment plan in detail with your doctor.

Fine paths of light on a dark navy background, arriving from different directions and meeting in a clear warm glow at the centre. — **Figure 2.**Different questions lead in the end to clear understanding.

Questions about daily life

What can I eat, can I have visitors, will herbs and supplements help? The nutrition, infection-prevention and daily-life sections of our site look at these questions in detail.

Questions about feelings and family

Fear, anxiety and the question “why me?” come up for many people. Sharing your feelings with loved ones, your doctor or a psychologist makes the load lighter.

If you did not find your answer

Write your question down and ask your doctor at the next appointment. There is no such thing as a silly question. In urgent situations, do not wait: contact your team straight away.

05What to do with a question

The road to an answer (simplified).

1Write it downStraight away, so you do not forget.

2General informationRead the matching topic on the site.

3Ask your doctorOnly your doctor can answer for you.

4ClarityWrite the answer down too.

Open conversationEvery question matters.

Urgent situationsDo not wait with a fever.

Less anxietyKnowing reduces fear.

06A map of short answers

Question	Short answer	Topic to read
Is it contagious?	No	Risk factors
Is it inherited?	In most cases, no	Risk factors
Can it be cured?	Depends on the type; in many cases, yes	Classification, risk groups and prognosis
Is remission a cure?	Not yet, but it is a big step	What is remission?
What to do with a fever?	Call your team straight away	Fever: when to seek urgent care
Will herbs help?	Talk to your doctor first	Herbs and supplements

* These answers are general and do not apply to your personal situation.

07Key terms

Leukemia: A cancer of the blood-forming cells.
Contagious: Able to pass from person to person; leukemia is not contagious.
Acquired mutation: A genetic change that arises in a cell during life and is not passed on to children.
Inherited predisposition: A genetic change passed on from a parent that raises risk; rare in leukemia.
Remission: No signs of leukemia on standard tests after treatment.
Prognosis: The likely future course of a disease.
Maintenance: Long-term treatment to keep remission.
Febrile neutropenia: Fever during neutropenia; an emergency.
Second opinion: Another specialist’s view of the diagnosis or treatment plan.

08Key points

Leukemia is not contagious.
In most cases leukemia is not inherited.
Leukemia is nobody’s fault.
The chance of cure depends on the type of leukemia.
Remission is a big step, but not yet a cure.
A fever during treatment means contacting your team urgently.
Discuss herbs and supplements with your doctor first.
There is no such thing as a silly question.

09Frequently asked questions

Is leukemia cancer?

Yes. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells: abnormal cells multiply out of control in the bone marrow and get in the way of healthy blood cells being made. But there are many types of leukemia, and they behave very differently.

Is leukemia contagious?

No. Hugging a patient, eating from the same dishes and caring for them are safe. In fact, during treatment it is the patient who needs protecting from infections, so loved ones should wash their hands and stay away if they are ill.

Will my children get leukemia from me?

In most cases, no. The changes that cause leukemia usually arise in cells during life and are not inherited. If several blood diseases run in the family, the doctor may suggest genetic counselling.

Did I do something wrong?

Almost never. Some risk factors are known (for example smoking, benzene, or previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy), but in most people no specific cause of leukemia can be found. Do not blame yourself.

Can leukemia be cured?

Yes, in many cases. In some types of leukemia, modern treatment often leads to long-lasting remission, while others are kept under control for many years. The outlook depends on the type, genetic features, age and response to treatment; ask your doctor about your own outlook.

Does remission mean cure?

Not yet. Remission means that leukemia cannot be seen in tests right now. Treatment often continues so that no hidden cells are left. When remission lasts for years, doctors may begin to talk about cure.

How long will treatment last?

It depends on the type: intensive treatment for AML usually lasts several months, while treatment for ALL, including maintenance, takes about 2–3 years. In CML medicines are often taken for a long time, and in CLL there is sometimes a period of monitoring without treatment first.

Will I lose my hair?

Many chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, but it is usually temporary. Most targeted drugs do not cause hair loss. Ask about expected side effects before treatment starts.

If I have a fever, can I wait until morning?

No. During treatment, especially in the weeks after chemotherapy, if your temperature is 38 °C or higher, call your team’s emergency number or emergency services straight away, even if you feel fairly well. If your team has given you a different threshold, follow it.

Can I have visitors or go out?

Often yes, but with care: people who are ill should not visit, and crowded places are best avoided, especially during neutropenia. Ask your team for the specific rules.

What can I eat? Will herbs help?

Balanced, safely prepared food matters; there is no special “miracle diet”. Some herbs and supplements interact with medicines, so discuss any supplement with your doctor first.

How do I tell my family and children?

Speak honestly, simply and in a way that suits their age; you do not have to say everything at once. It is important to tell children that it is not their fault and that the illness is not contagious. A nurse or psychologist can help you prepare for the conversation.

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.

Which of the most common questions should I be asking in my situation?
Which signs during treatment need urgent care?
Will I be able to work or study during treatment?
What can be done to protect my ability to have children in the future?

My questions

12Sources

National Cancer Institute (NCI). Leukemia — Patient Version
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions
National Cancer Institute (NCI). The Genetics of Cancer
American Cancer Society. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Risk Factors
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version
American Cancer Society. Typical Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Except APL)
American Cancer Society. Typical Treatment of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Hair Loss (Alopecia) and Cancer Treatment
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
American Cancer Society. Neutropenia (Low White Blood Cell Counts)
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®) – Patient Version
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Cancer.Net (ASCO). Talking With Family and Friends
Cancer.Net (ASCO). Seeking a Second Opinion

Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

Last updated: 3 October 2026← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →