Understanding Leukaemia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Blood Tests and Leukaemia Diagnosis

Not every person will experience all symptoms, and they may be confused with other health issues. That’s why thorough medical evaluation is essential for early diagnosis.

Early diagnosis is essential for improving treatment outcomes. Diagnostic procedures generally begin with a complete blood count (CBC), which can identify:

• Low or high white blood cell levels
• Immature blood cells
• Reduced red blood cells or platelets

Additional assessments may include:

• Specialised blood tests to measure cell structure and function
• Bone marrow biopsy to investigate cellular abnormalities
• Genetic screening to identify genetic abnormalities and certain genetic disorders
• Imaging or spinal fluid analysis to detect spread to the central nervous system

Classification systems such as the World Health Organization classification and the National Cancer Institute help clinicians categorise leukaemia types and determine appropriate interventions.

Environmental and Lifestyle Risk Factors

While most cases of leukaemia are not directly caused by lifestyle, certain external exposures may increase the risk, including:



• Radiation exposure: High levels of radiation, such as from radiation therapy or nuclear accidents, have been linked to increased rates of acute leukaemia.
• Chemical exposure: Long-term exposure to chemicals like benzene (found in petrol, cigarette smoke, and some industrial solvents) has been associated with a higher risk of acute myelogenous leukaemia.
• Certain chemotherapy drugs: People who have undergone chemotherapy for other cancers may develop leukaemia as a secondary cancer years later.
• Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains known carcinogens that may increase the risk of developing leukaemia, especially AML.

Age, Sex, and Family History

• Age: Most types of leukaemia are more common in older adults. For instance, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia mostly affects people over the age of 60.
• Sex: Leukaemia is slightly more common in males than females.
• Family history: While most leukaemia cases are not inherited, having a close relative with leukaemia may slightly increase your risk, particularly in chronic leukaemia.

Pre-existing Blood Disorders and Genetic Conditions

Some people develop leukaemia after having other blood cell disorders or inherited genetic conditions, including:



• Myelodysplastic syndromes (a group of disorders affecting bone marrow function)
• Down syndrome (increased risk of acute leukaemia in children)
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome and other rare inherited conditions

Is Leukaemia Hereditary?

Most cases of leukaemia are not hereditary. In other words, they don’t typically run in families or get passed down through generations. The majority of people who develop leukaemia have no family history of the disease. Furthermore, the cause is often due to genetic mutations that occur randomly in the bone marrow as blood cells form. These changes lead to the production of abnormal white blood cells that crowd out healthy cells and disrupt normal blood function.

However, certain genetic and inherited factors may increase a person's risk of developing leukaemia, even if they don’t directly cause it. These are more likely to play a role in rare cases of childhood or early-onset leukaemia, or in people who develop multiple cancers across their lifetime.



Can Leukaemia Be Prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent leukaemia. However, certain lifestyle and environmental factors may reduce your risk, particularly for types like acute myelogenous leukaemia and chronic myelogenous leukaemia.

Steps that may help lower your risk include:

• Avoid exposure to benzene (found in petrol, cigarette smoke, and industrial solvents)
• Do not smoke, as tobacco increases the risk of several blood cancers
• Limit exposure to high levels of radiation, where possible
• Use protective equipment if you work with chemicals or hazardous materials
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle to support your immune system and overall wellbeing
• Know your medical and family history, especially if you've had prior chemotherapy or inherited conditions linked to leukaemia

While these steps can't eliminate your risk, they may reduce your chances of developing certain types of leukaemia.



Treatment Options for Leukaemia

Treatment for leukaemia depends on several factors, including the type of leukaemia, how far it has progressed, a person’s age, and overall health. The main goal is to destroy abnormal cells, restore healthy blood production, and manage any complications caused by the disease.



Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for leukaemia. It uses strong medicines to kill abnormal white blood cells and stop them from multiplying. In acute leukaemia (such as acute myelogenous leukaemia and acute lymphocytic leukaemia), chemotherapy is often started immediately and given in multiple phases: induction, consolidation, and sometimes maintenance. In chronic leukaemia, it may be used when the disease becomes more active.



Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is designed to block specific proteins or genes involved in leukaemia cell growth. For example, people with chronic myelogenous leukaemia are commonly treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which target the abnormal BCR-ABL gene caused by the Philadelphia chromosome. This approach allows doctors to attack abnormal cells while leaving most healthy cells unharmed.



Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognise and attack abnormal white blood cells. One example is CAR T-cell therapy, where a patient's T-cells are modified to target leukaemia cells. This approach is most often used in cases where standard treatments have failed, especially in certain types of acute lymphocytic leukaemia.



Radiation Therapy

Radiation is sometimes used to treat leukaemia that has spread to the brain, spinal cord, or other parts of the body. It may also be used before a bone marrow transplant to help destroy any remaining unusual blood cells and prepare the body for healthy donor cells.



Bone Marrow (Stem Cell) Transplant

A transplant may be recommended for patients with aggressive or relapsed leukaemia. This treatment replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells, either from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic). It allows the body to rebuild a healthy blood cell system.



Watchful Waiting (Chronic Leukaemia)

For people diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in its early stages, immediate treatment may not be necessary. Doctors may recommend a "watch and wait" approach, monitoring blood counts and symptoms over time. Treatment begins only if the disease shows signs of progression or starts affecting quality of life.



Supportive Care

Supportive treatments may be given alongside primary therapies to manage symptoms and prevent complications. This can include:

• Blood transfusions for low red blood cells or platelets
• Antibiotics to treat or prevent infections
• Medication to manage nausea or fatigue
• Ongoing monitoring of unhealthy blood cells through blood assessments
• Individualised Care Plans

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for leukaemia. A haematologist or oncologist will create a plan based on the specific type and the patient’s overall condition. While treatment can be complex, medical research is moving quickly. Clinical trials are leading to new options that weren’t available just a few years ago



When to Act: Emergency Situations in Leukaemia

Although some types of leukaemia progress slowly, there are moments when symptoms become critical and require immediate medical attention.

Emergency symptoms to watch for include:

• Uncontrolled bleeding – such as heavy nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in urine or stool
• High fever and chills – especially if accompanied by confusion, low blood pressure, or rapid heart rate (possible signs of sepsis)
• Severe fatigue or breathlessness – linked to dangerously low red blood cell levels
• Chest pain or rapid breathing – which may signal anaemia-related heart strain or oxygen shortage
• Neurological symptoms – such as seizures, sudden confusion, or vision problems
• Stroke-like symptoms – in rare cases, very high white blood cell counts can thicken the blood and reduce flow to the brain or lungs (a condition called leukostasis)

In these cases, delaying care can be life-threatening. That’s why it’s essential for people living with acute leukaemia or chronic leukaemia to have a plan in place for medical emergencies.



Added Peace of Mind with INS Lifeguard

For individuals managing leukaemia, especially those living alone, recovering at home, or based in rural or regional areas, having access to immediate assistance can make a lifesaving difference. Medical emergencies can happen without warning, and when they do, every second counts.

INS Lifeguard provides professionally monitored medical and personal alarm systems that connect users to 24/7 emergency support at the press of a button. Whether it's a sudden infection, a heavy fall, a drop in blood pressure, or another medical episode, help is just moments away.

These devices go beyond standard alarms. With built-in health monitoring, automatic alerts, and optional check-in features, INS Lifeguard provides extra protection without compromising your independence. Families also gain peace of mind, knowing their loved one has access to a nurse on call any time of the day or night.

To learn more, call 1800 636 040 to speak with a member of the team about which solution is right for your needs.