Which of the following are common types of leukemia?

• A. Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• B. Only AML and ALL
• C. Multiple myeloma and lymphoma
• D. Chronic lymphatic diseases

Answer: (A)

Leukemia is categorized by the cell lineage involved (myeloid vs lymphoid) and by how quickly the disease progresses (acute vs chronic). The four most common types reflect these categories: acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Each type arises from a different progenitor cell and follows a distinct clinical course—acute forms progress rapidly and require urgent treatment, while chronic forms progress more slowly and may be identified later.

Other hematologic cancers are not leukemia. Multiple myeloma involves malignant plasma cells, and lymphoma primarily affects lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues, not circulating leukocytes in the marrow and blood. “Chronic lymphatic diseases” isn’t a standard leukemia category. So, the quartet of AML, ALL, CML, and CLL best represents the common leukemias.