Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

A rare blood cancer in which cancer cells are formed in the bone marrow. It is also known as Acute Lymphocytic Lymphoma ALL. This cancer is considered as a rare type of cancer in adults whereas common type of cancer in children.

The cancer cells migrate through blood and causes damage to organs such as lymph nodes, spleen testicles, liver and other organs.

An excessive number of stem cells differentiate into T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, or lymphoblasts. Another name for these cells is leukemia cells. These leukemia cells are incapable of fighting with infections. Additionally, as these leukemia cells divide uncontrollably there is very less space in the blood and bone marrow for healthy cells like RBCs, WBCs, and platelets to grow.

Bone Anatomy and Cell Production

?Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Stages of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:

1.???? Newly Diagnosed

2.???? Relapsed

3.???? Recurrent

Symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia includes:

1.???? Fatigue

2.???? Fever

3.???? Weight gain

4.???? Loss of Appetite

5.???? Muscle weakness and Tiredness

6.???? Pain in Joints and Bones

7.???? Shortness of breath

8.???? Pale skin

9.???? Bruising and Bleeding without any reason

10.? Swelling of Lymph nodes

Causes:

The exact cause of Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma is unknown. However, some researchers doubt following reasons as the cause of Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma.

1.???? Long-term Exposure to harmful chemicals.

2.???? Genetic factors

3.???? Environmental Factors

4.???? Exposure to Radiations

5.???? Infection caused by Human T-cell lymphoma virus-1 (HTLV1)

Diagnosis:

1.???? Imaging techniques such as MRI, X-ray, CT scan, PET scan, Ultrasound, etc.

2.???? Blood Test

3.???? Bone marrow Test

Treatment options:

1.???? Chemotherapy

2.???? Radiation Therapy

3.???? Immunotherapy

4.???? Bone Marrow Transplant

5.???? Hydrolases (PEG L-Asparaginase)

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