ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA

ACUTE  LYMPHOCYTIC  LEUKAEMIA

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also known as acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), is an acute form of leukemia caused by a DNA mutation in the stem cells causing too many white blood cells to be produced. ALL is the most common cancer in childhood,although it can also occur in adults.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes that crowds out bone marrow, preventing it from making the normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that your body needs.

Lymphocytic means it develops from early (immature) forms of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. This is different from acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which develops in other blood cell types found in the bone marrow.

For Diagnosing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Usually, doctors begin with a blood test (called a CBC, or complete blood count). Although the blood test may show leukemia cells, doctors need to examine a sample of bone marrow before confirming the exact diagnosis.

The main treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in adults involves the long-term use of chemotherapy (chemo). In the past several years, doctors have begun to use more intensive chemo regimens, which has led to more responses to treatment.

Relapsed childhood ALL is cancer that has come back after it has been treated. The leukemia may come back in the blood and bone marrow, brain, spinal cord, testicles, or other parts of the body.