Popular Taiwanese actor Fu Tzu-chun dies of acute leukemia at 46

Taiwanese actor Fu Tzu-chun has passed away at the age of 46 due to acute leukemia. Local media reported that his health deteriorated sharply after a recent trip to Bali, Indonesia, prompting renewed attention to the dangers of the disease.

According to reports, Fu's condition worsened significantly after returning from Bali with his wife. He experienced respiratory and cardiac arrest on June 7 and was rushed to the hospital, but ultimately succumbed to the illness. Fu Tzu-chun was known for his roles in dramas such as 'The Recruit Diary' and 'The Island of the Heroes,' as well as the film 'Blood Vessel Sound.'

Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing blood cancer where immature blood cells in the bone marrow undergo malignant changes and proliferate abnormally. This disrupts the production of normal blood cells, leading to a decrease in red blood cells, normal white blood cells, and platelets. Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, anemia, difficulty breathing, fever, recurrent infections, easy bruising, and nosebleeds or gum bleeding.

The disease is broadly classified into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), depending on the type of blood cell affected. AML is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults. Without treatment, AML can be fatal within months. The primary treatment goal is to achieve a 'complete remission,' where leukemia cells are no longer detectable through testing, typically through chemotherapy. Further treatment may include additional chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant, depending on the patient's age, genetic abnormalities, and prognosis.

Statistics from Korea's Central Cancer Registry indicate that in 2023, there were 2,889 new cases of myeloid leukemia and 1,076 new cases of lymphoid leukemia. The 5-year relative survival rate for all types of leukemia in Korea between 2019 and 2023 was 55.7%. The article also notes that some Korean celebrities have successfully battled leukemia and returned to their careers, citing examples of dancer and actor Cha Hyun-seung and actor Choi Sung-won.