Are you asking about leukemia classifications? Here's a breakdown of the main systems used:
Leukemia is classified differently depending on the type. Two major systems are used — the older French-American-British (FAB) system and the newer World Health Organization (WHO) system.
FAB System
- Groups leukemia based on how Show Full Answer
Are you asking about leukemia classifications? Here's a breakdown of the main systems used:
Leukemia is classified differently depending on the type. Two major systems are used — the older French-American-British (FAB) system and the newer World Health Organization (WHO) system.
FAB System
- Groups leukemia based on how cancer cells *look* under a microscope
- Used subtypes like L1, L2, L3 (for ALL) or M0–M7 (for AML)
WHO System
- Now the preferred method
- Classifies leukemia based on *genetic changes* in the cancer cells
- Gives doctors a clearer picture of prognosis and best treatment options
For CLL specifically, staging systems are used instead:
- Rai system (common in the US) — stages 0 to 4
- Binet system (common in Europe) — stages A, B, and C
The stage or classification helps doctors understand how advanced the leukemia is and guides treatment decisions. It's always worth asking your care team which system they use and what your classification means for your specific situation.
April 25
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