acute lymphocytic leukemia

leukemia that is characterized by over production of lymphoblasts.

Key facts

Other names: Acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphoid leukemia
Specialty: Hematology , oncology
Symptoms: Feeling tired, pale color, fever, easy bleeding or bruising, bone pain, enlarged lymph nodes
Complications: Infection , tumor lysis syndrome
Usual onset: 2–5 years old
Types: B-cell ALL , T-cell ALL
Causes: Usually unknown
Risk factors: Identical twin with ALL, Down syndrome , Fanconi anemia , ataxia telangiectasia , Klinefelter syndrome , high birth weight , significant radiation exposure
Diagnostic method: Blood tests and bone marrow examination
Differential diagnosis: Infectious mononucleosis , acute myeloid leukemia , lymphoblastic lymphoma , aplastic anemia
Treatment: Chemotherapy , stem cell transplantation , radiation therapy , targeted therapy

Article

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the lymphoid line of blood cells characterized by the development of large numbers of immature lymphocytes. Symptoms may include feeling tired, pale skin color, fever, easy bleeding or bruising, enlarged lymph nodes, or bone pain. As an acute leukemia, ALL progresses rapidly and is typically fatal within weeks or months if left untreated.

In most cases, the cause is unknown. Genetic risk factors may include Down syndrome, Li–Fraumeni syndrome, or neurofibromatosis type 1. Environmental risk factors may include significant radiation exposure or prior chemotherapy. Evidence regarding electromagnetic fields or pesticides is unclear. Some hypothesize that an abnormal immune response to a common infection may be a trigger. The underlying mechanism involves multiple genetic mutations that results in rapid cell division. The excessive immature lymphocytes in the bone marrow interfere with the production of new red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Diagnosis is typically based on blood tests and bone marrow examination.