Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Other names	Acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphoid leukemia
Specialty	Oncology, Hematology
Symptoms	Fever, bleeding, bone pain, fatigue
Complications	Infection, Anemia, bleeding
Causes	Genetic mutations, environmental factors
Risk factors	Radiation exposure, genetic disorders
Diagnostic method	Blood tests, bone marrow biopsy
Treatment	Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant
Prognosis	Varies by age and genetic factors

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells. It is characterized by the overproduction of immature white blood cells, known as lymphoblasts or leukemic blasts. ALL is most commonly diagnosed in children, making it the most prevalent type of cancer in this age group, but it can also affect adults.

Etiology

The exact cause of ALL is not well understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic mutations in the DNA of bone marrow cells can lead to the development of ALL. These mutations cause the cells to grow uncontrollably and accumulate, leading to leukemia. Environmental factors, such as exposure to radiation or toxic chemicals, may also play a role in the development of ALL.

Pathophysiology

In ALL, the genetic mutations affect the lymphoid line of blood cells, leading to the production of abnormal lymphoblasts. These cells are unable to function properly as immune cells and rapidly divide, crowding out normal blood cells in the bone marrow. This disruption in blood cell production leads to the symptoms associated with ALL, such as anemia, infection, and bleeding disorders.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of ALL include:

• Fever
• Frequent infections
• Fatigue
• Bleeding and bruising easily
• Bone and joint pain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Abdominal discomfort due to an enlarged spleen or liver

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ALL typically involves blood tests, which may show an abnormal number of white blood cells and a presence of blast cells. A bone marrow biopsy is often performed to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the specific type of leukemia.

Treatment

Treatment for ALL usually involves a combination of therapies including:

• Chemotherapy: the main treatment for ALL, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy: sometimes used to kill cancer cells or to prepare for a stem cell transplant.
• Stem cell transplant: replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor.

Treatment may vary depending on the patient's age, overall health, and specific characteristics of the leukemia.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with ALL varies. Children often have a better prognosis than adults, with higher rates of remission and cure. The prognosis in adults is influenced by the specific subtype of ALL and the presence of certain genetic abnormalities.

Epidemiology

ALL is the most common type of cancer in children and represents a significant percentage of cancer diagnoses in this group. It is less common in adults, but the incidence increases with age.

See also

• Leukemia
• Cancer
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Stem cell transplant