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).

New cases

In 2020, there were 4,602 new cases of leukaemia diagnosed in Australia (2,828 males and 1,774 females). In 2024, it is estimated that 5,316 new cases of leukaemia will be diagnosed in Australia (3,271 males and 2,045 females). In 2024, 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 80 or 1.2% for females).

In 2020, the age-standardised incidence rate was 19 cases per 100,000 persons (24 for males and 14 for females). In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 20 cases per 100,000 persons (25.6 for males and 14.3 for females). The incidence rate for leukaemia is expected to increase with age.

The number of new cases of leukaemia diagnosed increased from 1,655 (952 males and 703 females) in 1982 to 4,602 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 16.3 cases per 100,000 persons (22 for males and 12.5 for females) in 1982 to 19 cases per 100,000 persons in 2020.

Deaths 

In 2022, there were 2,085 deaths from leukaemia in Australia (1,253 males and 832 females). In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 2,216 deaths (1,382 males and 832 females). In 2024, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 160 (or 0.62%) risk of dying from leukaemia by the age of 85 (1 in 125 or 0.80% for males and 1 in 225 or 0.44% for females).

In 2022, the age-standardised mortality rate was 8.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 5.9 for females). In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 8.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 5.6 for females). The mortality rate for leukaemia is expected to increase with age.

The number of deaths from leukaemia increased from 966 (529 males and 437 females) in 1982 to 2,085 in 2022. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 9.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (13 for males and 8.0 for females) in 1982 to 8.2 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2022. 

Survival 

In 2016–2020, individuals diagnosed with leukaemia had a 66% chance (66% for males and 66% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1991–1995 and 2016–2020, five-year relative survival for leukaemia improved from 44% to 66%. 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2020, there were 3,838 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia that year, 15,694 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in the previous 5 years (from 2016 to 2020) and 41,072 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in the previous 39 years (from 1982 to 2020).

For more information see Leukaemia on 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.