In CML, "the leukemia cell that starts the disease makes blood cells (red cells, white cells and platelets) that function almost like normal cells" (Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2010). Moreover, the number of red cells usually declines in CML, which causes anemia (Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2010). CML does not tend to reduce the number of white cells or platelets, and their performance remains somewhat normal, however their counts are high and can continue to rise, causing health complications (Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2010). If white blood counts rise too high, blood flow can slow down, causing severe anemia (Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2010). In CLL, the leukemia cell makes lymphocytes that do not function properly, instead, "the leukemia cell that starts the disease makes too many lymphocytes that do not function. These cells replace normal cells in the marrow and lymph nodes. They interfere with the work of normal lymphocytes, which weakens the patient's immune response" (Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2010). As in CML, the high number of leukemic cells can crowd out the number of normal cells, leading to anemia. However, CLL can also result in "low neutrophil and platelet counts" (Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2010). However, CLL does not tend to cause the out-of-control growth of white blood cells, so it generally does not have the immediate negative health impacts of the other three types of leukemia. Instead, some patients diagnosed with CLL may not require immediate treatment and may not notice any impact on their health or well-being for a significant...

Moreover, the four main types of leukemia have different subtypes. In addition, a patient's personal characteristics, including age and overall health, can help determine the appropriate treatment plan. The goal of treatment for leukemia is complete remission, rather than simply increasing life expectancy. Therefore, patients with acute leukemia begin immediate treatment, usually radiation and/or chemotherapy in a hospital setting, with the goal of reducing the number of leukemic cells. After induction therapy, patients receive follow-up care that includes inpatient chemotherapy and may include stem cell transplants. CML patients have a different type of therapy. Generally, they are given drugs like Gleevec, which can suppress the gene responsible for the CML, thus eliminating symptoms, though not curing the CML. Stem cell transplantation is the only currently known cure for CML, and is more successful in younger patients. CLL patients may not need immediate treatment. When they do need treatment, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, and stem cell transplants are all viable treatment options (See generally Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2010).
References

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (2010, Mar. 3). Leukemia. Retrieved from http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page-item_id=7026

My Health Code. (Unk). Circulatory system. Retrieved from http://www.circulatory-

system.org/