C A L I F O R N I A C A N C E R R E G I S T R Y FA C T S H E E T
LEUKEMIA
Leukemia in California
4,005
The number of people expected
to be diagnosed with leukemia in
California in 2013.
2,320
The number of deaths from
leukemia expected in California
in 2013.
#8 and #6 
Leukemia was the 8th-most
commonly diagnosed type of
cancer, and the 6th-most common
cause of cancer death among
males in California in 2010.
#10 and #6 
Leukemia was the 10th-most
commonly diagnosed type of
cancer, and the 6th-most common
cause of cancer death among
females in California in 2010.
Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. In a person with
leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells, or leukemia cells.
Unlike normal blood cells, leukemia cells do not die when they should. They may
crowd out normal white blood and red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it
hard for normal blood cells to do their work.
There are different types of leukemia, grouped by how quickly the disease develops
and worsens. Leukemia is either chronic (which usually gets worse slowly) or acute
(which usually worsens quickly). The types of leukemia can also be grouped by
the type of white blood cell that is affected. Leukemia can start in lymphoid cells
(lymphoid, lymphocytic, or lymphoblastic leukemia), or in myeloid cells (myeloid,
myelogenous, or myeloblastic leukemia).
Leukemia Incidence Rates, California, 2006–2010
Between 2006 and 2010, the leukemia incidence rate for males in California
was 15.7 new cases per 100,000 males per year. For females in California, the
leukemia incidence rate was slightly lower at 9.7 new cases per 100,000 females
per year. With respect to race/ethnicity, the highest leukemia incidence rates
were found among both non-Hispanic white males and females (17.4 new cases
and 10.4 new cases per 100,000 persons, respectively).
Leukemia Incidence Rates, California 2006–2010*
20
Leukemia Incidence Rate, Males
18
Rates per 100,000 persons
BY THE NUMBERS
17.4
16
14
15.7
13.5
12
10
Leukemia Incidence Rate, Females
9.7
10.4
12.0
7.8
8
8.3
6
9.0
6.2
4
2
0
Searching for Causes & Cures
KEN MADDY
CALIFORNIA CANCER REGISTRY
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
All Races/
Ethnicities
Non-Hispanic
White
African
American
Hispanic
*Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Population.
Source: California Cancer Registry, California Department of Public Health.
Prepared by the California Department of Public Health, California Cancer Registry.
Asian/Pacific
Islander
C A L I F O R N I A C A N C E R R E G I S T R Y FA C T S H E E T
LEUKEMIA
Leukemia Mortality Rates, California, 2006–2010
Between 2006 and 2010, the leukemia mortality rate for males in California was
8.7 deaths per 100,000 males per year, compared with the female leukemia mortality
rate of 5.2 deaths per 100,000 females per year. With respect to race/ethnicity, the
highest leukemia mortality rates were experienced by non-Hispanic white males
and females (9.7 deaths and 5.4 deaths per 100,000 persons per year, respectively).
Five-Year
Relative Survival Rates
CALIFORNIA, 2001–2010
Unlike other cancers, all leukemias are staged
as “distant,” reflecting the involvement of
the bone marrow throughout the body.
The 5-Year
Survival Rate* is:
Childhood Leukemia
Leukemia Mortality Rates, California 2006–2010*
Rates per 100,000 persons
Leukemia in California
(0–19 years of age)
12
Leukemia Mortality Rate, Males
10
8
9.7
8.7
6
Adult Leukemia
Leukemia Mortality Rate, Females
(20+ years of age)
8.7
5.4
5.2
6.7
5.1
4.6
Overall
5.2
4
3.4
2
79%
49%
54%
*Follow-up is through December 2010.
0
All Races/
Ethnicities
Non-Hispanic
White
African
American
Hispanic
Asian/Pacific
Islander
Trends in Leukemia Incidence and Mortality, California, 1988–2009
From 1988 to 2009, the incidence rate of leukemia for males in California
declined slightly, albeit at a statistically significant rate. Among females, the
incidence rate remained relatively stable over the same period.
Mortality rates for leukemia decreased at a statistically significant rate
between 1988 and 2009, for both males and females in California.
Leukemia Incidence and Mortality Trends, California 1988–2009*
18
Rates per 100,000 persons
16
Leukemia Incidence Rate, Males
14
Leukemia Mortality Rate, Males
Risk Factors
Certain factors have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of certain types
of cancer. The majority of known cancer risk
factors are related to individual characteristics
(such as age, race/ethnicity, or family history/
genetic susceptibility) and behaviors (such as
smoking, diet, physical inactivity, unsafe sex,
and sun exposure).
For more information
12
8
on leukemia risk factors, prevention, screening,
symptoms, and treatment:
6
vNational Cancer Institute
10
4
Leukemia Incidence Rate, Females
2
Leukemia Mortality Rate, Females
Check out the NCI’s What You Need to
Know About™ Cancer Index at:
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk
08
09
20
20
06
07
20
20
04
05
20
20
02
03
20
20
00
01
20
20
98
99
19
19
96
97
19
19
94
95
19
19
92
93
19
19
90
91
19
19
19
19
88
89
0
Year
or call the NCI Cancer Information Service:
1-800-4-CANCER
vCenters for Disease Control and
Prevention
www.cdc.gov
*Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Population.
Source: California Cancer Registry, California Department of Public Health.
Prepared by the California Department of Public Health, California Cancer Registry.
vAmerican Cancer Society (ACS)
www.cancer.org
or call
California Department of
PublicHealth
KEN MADDY
CALIFORNIA CANCER REGISTRY
1-800-227-2345