Leukaemia in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Leukaemia incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C91 (lymphoid leukaemia), C92 (myeloid leukaemia), C93 (monocytic leukaemia), C94 (other leukaemias of specified cell type) and C95 (leukaemias of unspecified cell type).
Estimated number of new cases of leukaemia diagnosed in 2021
4,903 = 3,005 males + 1,898 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
3.3%
Estimated number of deaths from leukaemia in 2021
2,029 = 1,233 males + 796 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
4.1%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
63%
People living with leukaemia at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
13,174
New cases
In 2017, there were 4,432 new cases of leukaemia diagnosed in Australia (2,695 males and 1,738 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 4,903 new cases of leukaemia will be diagnosed in Australia (3,005 males and 1,898 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 61 (or 1.6%) risk of being diagnosed with leukaemia by the age of 85 (1 in 49 or 2.0% for males and 1 in 81 or 1.2% for females).
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 16 cases per 100,000 persons (20 for males and 12 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will remain at 16 cases per 100,000 persons (20 for males and 12 for females). The incidence rate for leukaemia is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for leukaemia, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of new cases of leukaemia diagnosed increased from 1,478 (854 males and 624 females) in 1982 to 4,432 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 12 cases per 100,000 persons (15 for males and 9.0 for females) in 1982 to 16 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
When considered as a group of cancer types, Leukaemias are estimated to be the eighth most common cause of death from cancer in 2021.
In 2019, there were 1,933 deaths from leukaemia in Australia (1,151 males and 782 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 2,029 deaths (1,233 males and 796 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 156 (or 0.64%) risk of dying from leukaemia by the age of 85 (1 in 125 or 0.80% for males and 1 in 211 or 0.47% for females).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 6.1 deaths per 100,000 persons (8.1 for males and 4.5 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 6.1 deaths per 100,000 persons (8.2 for males and 4.4 for females). The mortality rate for leukaemia is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for leukaemia, 1982 to 2019, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of deaths from leukaemia increased from 966 (529 males and 437 females) in 1982 to 1,933 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 8.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (10 for males and 6.5 for females) in 1982 to 6.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with leukaemia had a 63 % chance (64% for males and 63% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for leukaemia improved from 43% to 63%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for leukaemia, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
Prevalence
At the end of 2016, there were 3,640 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia that year, 13,174 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 32,699 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.