Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia | |
---|---|
Synonyms | Acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphoid leukemia |
Pronounce | N/A |
Specialty | Oncology, Hematology |
Symptoms | Fever, bleeding, bone pain, fatigue |
Complications | Infection, Anemia, bleeding |
Onset | |
Duration | |
Types | |
Causes | Genetic mutations, environmental factors |
Risks | Radiation exposure, genetic disorders |
Diagnosis | Blood tests, bone marrow biopsy |
Differential diagnosis | |
Prevention | |
Treatment | Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant |
Medication | |
Prognosis | Varies by age and genetic factors |
Frequency | |
Deaths |
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
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