Leukemia is rarely associated with pregnancy, affecting only about 1 in 10,000 pregnant women. How it is handled depends primarily on the type of leukemia. Acute leukemias normally require prompt, aggressive treatment, despite significant risks of pregnancy loss and birth defects, especially if chemotherapy is given during the developmentally sensitive first trimester. Continue reading
Acute leukemia can be divided into two types, depending on the subtype of bone marrow cells affected. If immature cells that produce white blood cells, called lymphocytes, are affected, the leukemia is acute lymphoblastic or lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). This form of leukemia can occur at all ages but is most common in children. With modern treatment programs, a high percentage of children and adults can be cured. Continue reading