What is the most common type of leukemia found in adults?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is indeed recognized as the most common type of leukemia found in adults. CLL is characterized by the accumulation of mature lymphocytes, primarily B cells, in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. This condition typically affects older adults, with the median age of diagnosis being around 70 years.

The reason CLL is the most prevalent leukemia in the adult population is related to its indolent nature, which often leads to prolonged survival with the disease, allowing it to be diagnosed more frequently in older demographics. It frequently presents in an asymptomatic phase, which means that many cases are discovered incidentally during routine blood tests.

In contrast, acute leukemias, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), are more aggressive and can occur at any age but are less common overall in adults. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) tends to have a specific genetic mutation (BCR-ABL fusion) and is not as prevalent as CLL in the adult population.

Therefore, CLL's higher incidence among adults aligns with its clinical characteristics, age distribution at diagnosis, and overall epidemiological data, solidifying its status as