Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue, usually the bone marrow. It often leads to high numbers of abnormal blood cells that crowd out healthy cells.
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A clear starting point for understanding leukemia, lymphoma, and the major categories students may hear about in awareness and advocacy spaces.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell connected to the immune and lymphatic systems. It can develop in lymph nodes, lymph vessels, bone marrow, spleen, and other areas.
Common Categories
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
A broad group of lymphomas. Many forms begin in B cells, and some are slow-growing while others are faster-growing.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A slower-growing leukemia that begins in lymphoid cells. In adults, it is one of the most common leukemia types.
Acute myeloid leukemia
A faster-growing leukemia that begins in myeloid cells and can progress quickly without treatment.
Hodgkin lymphoma
A lymphoma category identified by specific abnormal cells. Treatment and outlook depend on subtype, stage, and individual factors.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
A faster-growing leukemia that begins in lymphoid cells and is more common in children than adults.
Chronic myeloid leukemia
A slower-growing leukemia that begins in myeloid cells and is associated with specific changes in blood-forming cells.
Learn More
National Cancer Institute: Leukemia
Overview of leukemia types, treatment information, research, and clinical trials.
National Cancer Institute: Lymphoma
Overview of Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and related resources.
Canadian Cancer Society: Blood cancers
Plain-language definitions for leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancer categories.