Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Definition

Definition of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow - the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children, and treatments result in a good chance for a cure. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can also occur in adults, though the prognosis is not as optimistic.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) makes you more likely to bleed and develop infections. Symptoms include:

1. Bone and joint pain
2. Easy bruising and bleeding (such as bleeding gums, skin bleeding, nosebleeds, abnormal periods)
3. Feeling weak or tired
4. Fever
5. Loss of appetite and weight loss
6. Paleness
7. Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs
8. Pinpoint red spots on the skin (petechiae)
9. Swollen glands (lymphadenopathy) in the neck, under arms, and groin
10. Night sweats

Causes

Causes of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) occurs when the the body produces a large number of immature white blood cells, called lymphocytes. The cancer cells quickly grow and replace normal cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form blood cells. ALL prevents healthy blood cells from being made. Life-threatening symptoms can occur.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
A physical exam may reveal the following:

1. Bruising
2. Swollen liver, lymph nodes, and spleen
3. Signs of bleeding (petechiae, purpura)

Blood tests may include:

1. Complete blood count (CBC), including white blood cell (WBC) count
2. Platelet count
3. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
4. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for leukemia cells in the spinal fluid

Tests are also done to look for chromosome changes in the cells of some leukemias. Leukemias with certain types of chromosome changes have a poor outlook, while those with other types of genes can have a very good outlook. This may determine what kind of treatment you receive.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
The following patients tend to do better:

1. Younger adults (especially those younger than age 50)
2. Children between the ages of 1 and 9
3. Those who have a white blood cell (WBC) count below 50,000 when first diagnosed
4. Those who do not have a specific genetic change called Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL
5. Those whos are in remission within 4 - 5 weeks of starting treatment

Treatment

Treatment of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
The goal of treatment is to get the blood counts back to normal. If this occurs and the bone marrow looks healthy under the microscope, the cancer is said to be in remission.

Chemotherapy is used to treat this type of leukemia.

1. The first time you receive chemotherapy, you may need to stay in the hospital for several weeks.
2. Later you may receive chemotherapy as an outpatient, meaning you come to a clinic to receive the treatment

If you have a low white blood cell count, you may need to be placed in a hospital room by yourself so you do not catch an infection.

Prevention

Prevention of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
You may reduce your risk of ALL by avoiding contact to certain toxins, radiation, and chemicals.