What is the global prevalence of leukemias?

Answer

An estimated 300,000 new cases of leukemia (2.8% of all new cancer cases) are diagnosed each year globally.^[6]It has been estimated that in Western countries, CLL constitutes the most frequent type of leukemia with 25% of cases, CML represents 20% of cases, and AML represents 20% of cases.

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Media Gallery

A 4-year-old boy presented with sudden proptosis of his left eye.
Same patient as in the image above. A CBC revealed anemia (Hb 8.6 mg/dL), thrombocytopenia (64,000), and leukocytosis (12,900). The peripheral smear revealed the presence of blasts 28%, lymphocytes 44%, segmented 14%, monocytes 6%, bands 2%, metamyelocytes 1%, and myelocytes 1%. The boy was diagnosed with AML type M4-M5 chloroma of the left orbit.
CT scan reveals infiltration in the left orbit. Notice that the bone is uninvolved. A lumbar puncture revealed that the cerebral spinal fluid was clean of leukemic cells.
Systemic chemotherapy was instituted, and the proptosis resolved. Unfortunately, 4.5 months later, the boy passed away secondary to multiorgan failure.
An impending bilateral central retinal vein obstruction was discovered during a routine examination of a 76-year-old man. Further workup revealed a WBC count of 709,000, a hemoglobin count of 12 mg/dL, and a platelet count of 104,000. The man was eventually diagnosed with CML. This image is a red-free photograph of the right fundus. Notice the intraretinal hemorrhages.
Same patient as in the image above. This image is a red-free photograph of the left eye showing intraretinal hemorrhages.
A 14-year-old boy with a past medical history of ALL complained of a sudden loss of vision OD. Visual acuities were counting fingers OD and 20/20 OS. Notice the macular hemorrhage responsible for the loss of vision. Courtesy of Dr Rafael Jiménez.
Same patient as in the previous image. The hematological workup revealed a hemoglobin count of 5.6, a WBC count of 1800, and a platelet count of 3000. Courtesy of Dr Rafael Jiménez.

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Author

Lihteh Wu, MD Ophthalmologist, Costa Rica Vitreo and Retina Macular Associates

Lihteh Wu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, Retina Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Bayer; Quantel Medical<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Bayer Health; Quantel Medical.

Coauthor(s)

Joaquin Martinez, MD, MSc Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Nacional de Ninos and Clinica Dr. Clorito Picado; Director of Retinal and Vitreous Clinic at Hospital Nacional de Ninos; Consulting Staff in Ultrosonography and Angiography, Clinica Oftalmologica Costarricense; Private Practice, San Rafael de Escazu, San Jose, Costa Rica

Joaquin Martinez, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: Costa Rican Ophthalmology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, FARVO Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Founder and President, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, FARVO is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Royal Society of Medicine, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Aldeyra Therapeutics (Lexington, MA); Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Inc (Rancho Cucamonga, CA); Eyegate Pharma (Waltham, MA); Novartis (Cambridge, MA); pSivida (Watertown, MA); Xoma (Berkeley, CA); Allakos (Redwood City, CA)<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Alcon (Geneva, Switzerland); Allergan (Dublin, Ireland); Mallinckrodt (Staines-upon-Thames, United Kingdom)<br/>Received research grant from: Alcon; Aldeyra Therapeutics; Allakos Pharmaceuticals; Allergan; Bausch & Lomb; Clearside Biomedical; Dompé pharmaceutical; Eyegate Pharma; Mallinckrodt pharmaceuticals; Novartis; pSivida; Santen; Aciont.

Additional Contributors

Andrew W Lawton, MD Neuro-Ophthalmology, Ochsner Health Services

Andrew W Lawton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Arkansas Medical Society, Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Teodoro Evans, MD Consulting Surgeon, Vitreo-Retinal Section, Clinica de Ojos, Costa Rica

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brian R Younge, MD Professor of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

Brian R Younge, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Ophthalmological Society, and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

What is the global prevalence of leukemias?

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