What is the life expectancy of someone with leukemia?

Complete remission occurs in 70 - 80% of patients. Overall, about 33% of persons under age 65 survive free of disease at 5 years from diagnosis. This 5-year survival rate drops dramatically (4%) in those older than 65. In general, patients who are younger have a better chance of survival than older patients. This is partly due to one's ability to tolerate the strong chemotherapy medicines.

Patients who have not experienced a relapse during these 5 years are considered permanently cured, since most relapses occur within 2 years of diagnosis.

Without treatment, life expectancy is about 3 - 4 months.

There are four basic types of leukemia. The above answer loosely applies to the two acute forms. In the chronic forms, the life expectancy is 10-20 years.