About
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, also known as ALL, is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. ALL affects immature blood cells and spreads rapidly attacking the body’s white blood cells. While adults can be diagnosed with ALL, it is most commonly found in children. Although no cancer is predictable, ALL is the most common type of childhood cancer and patients generally have a good chance of beating the disease. ALL can also be known Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Causes
The exact cause of ALL is still unknown. But, like many cancers, ALL develops from an error in the cells’ DNA. When a healthy cell would normally die off, cancerous cells continue to grow and divide. As the cells continue growing, they turn into lymphocytes and crowd out healthy cells in the body and quickly spread through the blood stream.
Symptoms
- Decreased energy and weakness
- Bleeding of the gums
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Fevers and infections
- Lumps and swollen lymph nodes in the groin, neck and stomach
- Loss of color in the skin
- Shortness of breath
Treatments
Medical treatments for ALL depend on how progressed the cancer is. Generally, treatments for ALL go through phases that last between two to four years, which include induction, consolidation and maintenance therapies, followed by prevention treatments. Doctors usually prescribe chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants and targeted drug therapies for patients battling ALL. There are also clinical trials and new treatments for patients who meet eligibility requirements for these treatment options.
Sources:
www.mayoclinic.com
www.ninds.nih.gov