Anemia and leukemia both impact the blood and bone marrow, leading to questions about their connection. While typical anemia does not transform into leukemia, certain underlying conditions with anemia-like symptoms carry a risk of progressing to it. This article clarifies the relationship between these distinct health issues and highlights specific situations where progression risk exists.
The Relationship Between Anemia and Leukemia
Anemia is a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal amount of healthy red blood cells or a reduction in hemoglobin, the protein carrying oxygen throughout the body. This deficiency means the body’s tissues and organs do not receive enough oxygen, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Many types of anemia exist, with iron-deficiency anemia being the most common, often caused by insufficient iron intake or blood loss.
In contrast, leukemia is a cancer originating in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones responsible for producing blood cells. It involves the uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells, which can crowd out healthy blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Anemia is a blood disorder affecting red blood cell count, while leukemia is a cancer affecting blood cell production more broadly.
Common forms of anemia, such as iron-deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, do not progress into leukemia. Leukemia itself can cause anemia, as cancerous cells proliferate in the bone marrow and interfere with healthy red blood cell production. Therefore, anemia can be a symptom of leukemia, but it is not a cause.
Pre-Leukemic Conditions
While anemia itself does not become leukemia, certain serious bone marrow disorders can present with anemia-like symptoms and carry a risk of transforming into leukemia. These are often referred to as pre-leukemic conditions. Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Aplastic Anemia are two such conditions.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
MDS are a group of disorders where the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy, mature blood cells. This often results in low blood cell counts, including anemia due to a lack of red blood cells. MDS is characterized by abnormal blood cell production and maturation, and it has a known risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Roughly 25–30% of individuals diagnosed with MDS will develop AML, typically within three to five years, with higher-risk MDS subtypes having a greater and more rapid progression.
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic Anemia is a rare and serious condition where the bone marrow stops producing enough new blood cells, leading to a deficiency in all types of blood cells: red blood cells (causing anemia), white blood cells, and platelets. While not cancer, aplastic anemia can increase the risk of developing leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. Approximately 15% of patients with acquired aplastic anemia may develop MDS or AML within 10 years, with certain genetic factors and a suboptimal response to treatment increasing this risk.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Recognizing persistent symptoms and seeking timely medical evaluation is important for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. While fatigue, weakness, and pale skin are common symptoms of anemia, they can also be signs of more serious underlying conditions, including those that might progress to leukemia. Unexplained bruising or bleeding, recurrent infections, unintended weight loss, or persistent fever are additional symptoms that warrant medical attention.
If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms, consulting a healthcare provider is essential. A doctor can perform diagnostic tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and further specialized blood or bone marrow tests if needed, to determine the cause of your symptoms. Only a medical professional can accurately diagnose the cause of anemia and determine if further investigation for an underlying condition is necessary.