Definition and Differentiation of Acute and Chronic Leukemia continued

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 176 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Acute Leukemia with a Focus on WHO Classification. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Acute Leukemia with a Focus on WHO Classification (online CE course)
Definition and Differentiation of Acute and Chronic Leukemia continued

Table 1 below compares and contrasts the characteristics of acute and chronic forms of leukemia.
Table 1. Acute and Chronic Forms of Leukemia.
Acute LeukemiaChronic Leukemia
Onset Sudden
usually with symptoms

Slow and long duration
sometimes asymptomatic at time of diagnosis
AgeAdults and childrenMostly found in adults
Hepatosplenomegaly LymphadenopathyCan be found but varies based on age and cell lineageCommon
Bleeding/Bruising/Other SymptomsCommon
Fever common also
Less common
Cell MaturityBone marrow (BM) and Peripheral Blood (PB) cells are more immature
>20% blasts in bone marrow or blood are typically found at diagnosis
BM and PB cells are more mature than in Acute
WBC CountElevatedVariable
Can range from very elevated to somewhat below normal
PrognosisSurvival in untreated patients is several weeks to several months
Survival in untreated patients ranges from several months to many years, depending on type