Conditions We Treat

Acute leukaemia.

A fast-moving blood cancer that needs urgent assessment — but one where prompt, modern treatment can be highly effective.

Overview

What is acute leukaemia?

Acute leukaemia is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Immature cells called blasts multiply quickly and crowd out the normal cells the body needs, causing blood counts to fall. The two main types are acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Acute leukaemia develops quickly and is a medical emergency. If it is suspected, it needs same-day assessment. Sudden severe tiredness, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or high fevers with very abnormal blood counts should not wait — contact your doctor urgently or attend your nearest emergency department.

The urgency is not a reason to lose hope: with prompt, modern treatment, acute leukaemia is often very treatable and, in many cases, curable.

Symptoms

How it can present

Symptoms usually come on over days to a few weeks and reflect the fall in normal blood cells:

Marked tiredness, breathlessness and pale skin (anaemia)
Frequent, severe or unusual infections and fevers (low white cells)
Easy bruising, bleeding gums or nosebleeds (low platelets)
Bone or joint pain
Sometimes swollen lymph nodes

Diagnosis

How it's diagnosed

Urgent blood tests

A full blood examination and blood film can show blasts and very abnormal counts, prompting immediate action.

Bone marrow biopsy

Confirms the diagnosis and the exact type of leukaemia.

Genetic testing

Molecular and chromosome tests guide the most effective, tailored treatment.

Treatment

How it's treated

Treatment is urgent and usually begins in hospital. It typically involves chemotherapy, increasingly combined with targeted therapies chosen according to the leukaemia’s genetics, and in selected patients a stem cell transplant. Because treatment is time-critical, rapid diagnosis and coordination matter enormously.

Connected to leading public hospital care

We are linked with major public hospital haematology services in Melbourne’s west and can expedite access to public hospital treatment where appropriate — so you receive the latest expert care and multidisciplinary input, with access to clinical trials of emerging therapies where suitable. Private management is also available if you prefer a shorter wait or a particular setting.

When to refer

When to refer — urgently

Suspected acute leukaemia is an emergency and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Blasts on a blood film

Immediate discussion — this needs same-day assessment.

Severe low counts

Marked anaemia, very low platelets or neutrophils, especially with fever or bleeding.

Rapidly unwell

A patient becoming acutely unwell should attend an emergency department; we coordinate closely with public hospitals for immediate care.

Common questions

Frequently asked

Is acute leukaemia curable?

Many acute leukaemias are very treatable and a number are curable, particularly when treatment starts promptly. The outlook depends on the type, the genetics of the leukaemia, and individual factors, which your haematologist will discuss.

Why is it so urgent?

Because acute leukaemia grows quickly and can cause dangerously low blood counts, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential. Suspected cases are assessed the same day, often via a hospital.

How does the public hospital link help?

We work closely with public hospital haematology and can expedite immediate, expert inpatient treatment, including access to clinical trials, without delay.

Worried about acute leukaemia?

Suspected acute leukaemia needs urgent assessment. Contact your GP or nearest emergency department without delay; we work closely with public hospitals to arrange immediate care.

This page provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem. Please speak with your GP or haematologist about your own circumstances. Last reviewed August 2026.