Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Conditions & Diseases: Cancers

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.

Red blood cells, which carry the oxygen to all the body tissues.
White blood cells, which fight against infections.
Platelets, which control the bleeding by forming blood clots.

Mature blood cells develop from immature bone marrow cells called stem cells. When acute lymphocytic leukemia occurs, too many bone marrow stem cells develop in lymphocytes, also called lymphoblast or leukemia cells. This phenomenon is caused by a genetic mutation in the lymphocyte's DNA. However, this genetic mutation is not present at birth, and it can develop at any time during the life span.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by an increased number of lymphocytes in the blood and bone marrow. When these cells grow excessively, they lose their function (fighting against infection). Lymphocytes' high concentration leads to a deficit of red blood cells, platelets, and normal white 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:

Family history: If there is a sibling with leukemia.
Race: ALL is more common among Caucasians and Hispanics.
Age: ALL is more common after the age of 70.
Being exposed to x-rays before birth.
Exposure to radiation.
Chemotherapy or medical treatment with drugs that weaken the immune system.
Genetic medical disorders (ex: Down syndrome)

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:

Anemia, caused by a low concentration of healthy red blood cells and platelets.
Fever
Fatigue
Frequent and recurrent infections
Tender or swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, armpit, stomach or groin area)
Easy bleeding and brushing
Discomfort below the ribs (pain or fullness sensations)
Small red spots beneath the skin
Bone or joint pains
Headaches with or without vomiting (when the lymphoblast cells collect in the brain or spinal cord) - this symptom is not common
Testicle swelling (when the lymphoblast cells collect in the testicles) - this is also not a common symptom of ALL.

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:

Gender: ALL is more common among males.
Race: ALL is more common among white people.
Exposure to high doses of radiation
Past medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Genetic medical disorders, (ex: Down syndrome)

In adults the early leukemia symptoms can be confused with flu or cold symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Feeling tired
Weakness
Small red spots beneath the skin
Easy bleeding and brushing
Breathing difficulties (short breathing)
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bone or stomach pain
Discomfort below the ribs (pain or fullness sensations)
Tender or swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, armpit, stomach or groin area)

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.

Article by Alina Morrow,
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com