Leukemia

Leukemia is a disease that affects both children and adults, but it is most prevalent in adults. Males are more likely to be diagnosed with leukemia than females. The major types and most commonly diagnosed leukemias are: Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). ALL is the most frequently diagnosed type of leukemia among children between the ages of 0 and 19. In adults, the most commonly diagnosed types of leukemia are AML and CLL. Risk factors associated with leukemia include genetic abnormalities, cigarette smoking, exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., Benzene), and ionizing radiation. Leukemia may also occur as a side effect of cancer treatment.

Treatment options may vary depending on the type of leukemia, stage of the disease, patient's age, and other medical conditions, and should be discussed with the patient's physician.

Leukemia Clinical Trials

The Center for Cancer Research (CCR), NCI's largest division doing research on campus, conducts leukemia clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md. NCI accepts referrals to leukemia clinical trials conducted in Bethesda, Md., through its Clinical Trials Referral Office (formerly called the Clinical Studies Support Center) at 1-888-NCI-1937 (1-888-624-1937).

NCI is currently conducting the following trials for patients with leukemia. Click on the trials below for additional details, including a summary of eligibility criteria, treatment plan, and information on how to contact the principal investigators and their staff directly.