How long can a person live with leukemia?

Jun 30, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

A former teacher of mine, who is now retired, has unfortunately developed a white blood cell disorder. How long can someone live with a white blood cell disease?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Leukemia, also known as white blood cell disease, has varying survival times for patients depending on multiple factors, and thus cannot be generalized. Survival duration depends on the type of leukemia, the patient's physical condition, treatment methods, and the stage of disease progression, among other factors. 1. Chronic leukemia: Due to its slow onset and mild symptoms, patients tend to have relatively longer lifespans. For example, the median survival period for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is approximately 10 years, while chronic myeloid leukemia can often be controlled long-term through oral medication treatments. 2. Acute leukemia: This type has a rapid onset and a more severe clinical course. Without specific treatment, the average survival time for patients with acute leukemia is only about 3 months. However, with treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, many patients can achieve long-term survival, and even be cured.