Leukemia can be classified into different types based on the type of blood cell that has been affected. Lymphocytic leukemia represents a class of leukemia in which white blood cells, also known as lymphocytes, are affected.

Leukemia is also classified along with the originating cell type and the pace at which the condition progresses. If the progression of leukemia is at a rapid pace, then the condition would be deemed to be acute. On the other hand, if the condition progresses at a slow pace, then it would be called chronic.

Some types of lymphocytic leukemia and their symptoms are as follows:

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
This type of cancer has a rapid progression. This type of cancer arises in the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow, a soft tissue inside the bones, produces blood cells. When affected by acute lymphocytic leukemia, the bone marrow ends up creating many immature blood cells instead of mature blood cells. Abdominal swelling, SVC syndrome, and enlargement of lymph nodes are some of the symptoms. Through the evolution of acute lymphocytic leukemia, the count of red blood cells eventually reduces.

This leads to the development of a wide variety of symptoms such as:

• Recurring infections which do no heal
• Weakness
• Tired feeling
• Feeling lightheaded and dizzy
• A pale complexion
• Shortness of breath
• Purple or red spots on the skin that appear as bruises
• Bleeding in different forms such as heavy menstrual bleeding in women, bleeding gums, and nosebleeds

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
This condition is slow-growing and originates in the bone marrow and then slowly spreads to the blood. Organs such as the spleen, liver, and several lymph nodes can also be affected by this condition. In this condition, the number of abnormal lymphocytes increases in number significantly. As a result, the number of healthy red blood cells, functional lymphocytes, and thrombocytes reduce. The low count of RBCs results in anemia as they do not possess oxygen-carrying capabilities. Leukopenia is another symptom caused by reduced lymphocyte count. This results in frequent fever, infections, and reduced immunity. Thrombocytopenia (because of reduced platelet count) causes easy bruising, nose bleeds, and bleeding gums. Enlargement of the spleen or liver is another common symptom.

Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)
This is a rare subtype of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and thereby, is slow-progressing cancer. When there is an overproduction of a particular type of infection-fighting white blood cells known as B-cells in the bone marrow, the resultant condition is known as hairy cell leukemia. As the number of B-cells increases, the count of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets reduce, rendering the body weak. Fatigue, shortness of breath, a feeling of fullness or pain below the ribs, swollen lymph nodes, frequent infections, fevers, sudden weight loss, and the formation of painless lumps in the stomach, neck, underarm, or groin areas are some of the most common symptoms of this condition.