A member asked:

If someone got a cbc in february is it possible to have developed leukemia between then and now? how long does it take for leukemia to develop?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Possible: The leukemia was likely in process in february, but was not detectable in a cbc, and has advanced enough to be detectable now. The time of onset of tumors including leukemias is generally indeterminate, you can only pinpoint the time when the tumor/leukemia becomes detectable. The underlying process has usually been in play for years.

Answered 11/28/2016

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Yes: Essentially two types of leukemia: acute and chronic. If acute, yes it can develop in a few months. Chronic can come on rapidly, however, it may be that the person never had a CBC before. The difference is acute needs treatment on an urgent to emergent basis and potentially curable. Chronic is typically not curable. Hope this helps.

Answered 7/28/2018

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