Leukemia SPOREs

Despite the fact that major advances in diagnosis and treatment were achieved in the last 50 years, especially in childhood leukemia, this group of diseases remains a serious medical problem. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 43,050 new cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2010 with approximately 11% more cases in chronic leukemia than in acute leukemia.  Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children ages 0-19 and has a somewhat higher incidence in males than females.  Approximately 22,000 people died of leukemia in 2010.  The incidence and mortality rates for leukemia have decreased slightly over the past 20 years.  The first round of SPORE applications in Leukemia took place in 2002, with the subsequent award of the first Leukemia SPORE in 2003.  Currently NCI funds two leukemia SPORE grants.