What is the difference between acute and chronic leukemia?

Everything: Acute leukemia is presented with the presence of significant level of a very immature blood cells in the circulation and increase level in the bone marrow. It is a very agressive and life threatening. Without treatment people die within weeks and few months only. Chronic leukemia- is progressing slower than acute leukemia. Chronic leukemia can transform into acute leukemia sometimes.

Complicated question: There are many different subtypes of leukemia, but the basic difference is that acute leukemia is a proliferation of immature cells (blasts). Chronic leukemia is a proliferation of mature cells. Chronic leukemia usually has a longer survival, while acute leukemia can become immediately life threatening.

Curability: Acute leukemias typically need treatment right away and can possibly be cured. Chronic leukemias are not usually curable because they are typically slower growing. I tell patients chronic leukemias are treatable not curable. Hope this helps.