Abstract

Background: Acute leukemia is a life-threatening hematologic malignancy marked by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature blood cells in the bone marrow. In low-resource settings such as Sudan, the burden of acute leukemia is compounded by limited diagnostic capabilities, regional healthcare disparities, and a lack of comprehensive cancer registries. Objective: This study aimed to determine the incidence and distribution of acute leukemia specifically Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) across five major regions of Sudan, with attention to demographic variables such as age and gender. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using retrospective data from hospital records, hematology registries, and national cancer databases over a fiveyear period (2020–2024). Data were collected from five regions: Central, Western, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Sudan. Patients of all ages and both genders diagnosed with AML or ALL were included. Incidence rates were calculated and analyzed by region, age group, and sex. Results: Out of a population of approximately 50 million, a total of 364 acute leukemia cases were recorded. The Central Region exhibited the highest incidence rates (ALL: 10.96/ million; AML: 7.88/million), while the Northern Region had the lowest (ALL: 1/million; AML: 1.5/million). ALL was predominantly diagnosed in children (94%), whereas AML primarily affected adults (78%). A male predominance was observed in both AML (74%) and ALL (54%). The mean age of presentation was 29.4 ± 14.6 years, with the second and third decades being most affected. Conclusion: Acute leukemia in Sudan shows significant regional and demographic variation, with a concentration of cases in urban areas such as the Central Region. The findings emphasize the need for equitable healthcare infrastructure, improved diagnostic services, and expanded cancer registry coverage, particularly in underserved and remote regions of Sudan.

Keywords

acute leukemia, Sudan, incidence