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Conditions & Diseases: CancersAcute Lymphocytic LeukemiaSee Also: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Acute lymphocytic leukemia, also called acute lymphoblastic or acute lymphoid leukemia, is a progressive bone marrow and blood cancer caused by a high concentration of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Unfortunately, this type of leukemia progresses fast if not treated. Normally, the body produces three types of blood cells, called mature blood cells.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia is more common among young children, but it can also affect adults. There are two types of acute lymphocytic leukemia: I. Childhood Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is one of the most common types of cancer in children. Medical researches have not been able to identify the exact causes of leukemia, but the evidence from clinical trials and medical experience built up over time reveals strong connections between several risk factors and acute lymphocytic leukemia. These risk factors include:
The symptoms can vary from patient to patient, depending on the number of leukemia cells and the area of the body where leukemia cells collect. The most common symptoms of acute lymphcytic leukemia in children include:
Once the leukemia is diagnosed, medical tests are conducted to establish the leukemia stages (the extent or spread of leukemia). However, childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia is not classified through any standard staging system to establish how far the leukemia spread, but in risk groups. These risk groups include: 1. Standard (low) risk: Includes children between one and nine years old with a white blood cells count less than 50,000/m L at diagnosis. 2. High risk: Includes children younger than one year or older than nine with a white blood cells count of 50,000/m L or more at diagnosis. 3. Recurrent: Refers to the leukemia that has recurred (relapsed, came back) after it was treated. II. Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. The risk factors for this type of leukemia include:
In adults the early leukemia symptoms can be confused with flu or cold symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Like childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, adult acute lymphocytic leukemia is not classified through any standard staging system. However, there are three phases: 1. Untreated adult ALL: In this phase, leukemia has been diagnosed and the treatment focuses only on symptoms (fever, bleeding, and pain) relieve. The main characteristics of this phase are: 1) more then 5 percent of the cells in the bone marrow are leukemia cells, and 2) signs and symptoms of leukemia are present. 2. Adult ALL in remission: In this phase, leukemia has been treated. The main characteristics of this phase are: 1) less than 5 percent of the cells in the bone marrow are leukemia cells, and 2) there are no more sings and symptoms of leukemia present in the brain and spinal cord, or other organs of the body. 3. Recurrent adult ALL: In this phase, leukemia has been recurred (relapsed, came back) after it was treated. See Also:
Article by Alina Morrow, |
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Page Last Modified:
09/03/2008 20:24