Incidence of acute leukaemia

Acute leukaemia is a rare condition with an observed incidence of 4 per 100 000 of the population per year. The disease pattern varies with sub-type:

• acute lymphoblastic leukaemia:
  • accounts for 80% of cases of acute leukaemia in children
  • the incidence peaks in children, decreases in adolescence, but increases again beyond the age of 50 years
  • it accounts for 20% of all cases of leukaemia
  • is more common in whites than blacks
  • is slightly more common in boys than girls
    
    
• acute myeloid leukaemia:
  • rare in children
  • accounts for 80% of all acute leukaemias

Overall, there is a marked increase in the incidence of acute leukaemia in the elderly.