Learn About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

View Main Condition: Leukemia

What is the definition of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes.

ALL occurs when the bone marrow produces a large number of immature lymphoblasts, a cancerous form of lymphocytes. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside most bones in children and in the front chest bone (sternum) and the pelvis bones in adults that helps form all blood cells. The abnormal lymphoblasts grow quickly and replace normal cells in the bone marrow. ALL prevents healthy blood cells from being made. Life-threatening symptoms can occur as normal blood counts drop.

What are the alternative names for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

ALL; Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Acute lymphoid leukemia; Acute childhood leukemia; Cancer - acute childhood leukemia (ALL); Leukemia - acute childhood (ALL); Acute lymphocytic leukemia

What are the causes of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

Most of the time, no clear cause can be found for ALL.

The following factors may play a role in the development of all types of leukemia:

  • Certain chromosome problems
  • Exposure to radiation
  • Past treatment with chemotherapy medicines
  • Receiving a bone marrow transplant
  • Toxins, such as benzene

The following factors are known to increase the risk for ALL:

  • Down syndrome or some other genetic conditions
  • A brother or sister with leukemia

This type of leukemia usually affects children ages 3 to 7. ALL is the most common childhood cancer, but it can also occur in adults.

What are the symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

ALL makes a person more likely to bleed and develop infections. Symptoms include:

  • Bone and joint pain
  • Easy bruising and bleeding (such as bleeding gums, skin bleeding, nosebleeds, abnormal periods)
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Paleness
  • Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs from an enlarged liver or spleen
  • Pinpoint red spots on the skin (petechiae)
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, under arms, and groin
  • Night sweats

These symptoms can occur with other conditions. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of specific symptoms.

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What are the current treatments for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

The first goal of treatment is to get blood counts back to normal. If this occurs and the bone marrow looks healthy under the microscope, the cancer is said to be in remission.

Chemotherapy is the first treatment tried with the goal of achieving a remission.

  • The person may need to stay in the hospital for chemotherapy. Or it may be given at a clinic and the person goes home afterward.
  • Chemotherapy is given into the veins (by IV) and sometimes into the fluid around the brain (the spinal fluid). Oral chemotherapy may be given after a remission to maintain it.

After a remission is achieved, more treatment is given to achieve a cure. This treatment can include more IV chemotherapy or radiation to the brain. Stem cell or bone marrow transplant from another person may also be done. Further treatment depends on:

  • Age and health of the person
  • Genetic changes in the leukemia cells
  • How many courses of chemotherapy it took to achieve remission
  • If abnormal cell DNA is detected in the bone marrow after remission
  • Availability of donors for stem cell or bone marrow transplant

You and your provider may need to manage other concerns during your leukemia treatment, including:

  • Having chemotherapy at home
  • Managing your pets during chemotherapy
  • Bleeding problems
  • Dry mouth
  • Eating enough calories
  • Safe eating during cancer treatment
Who are the top Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Local Doctors?
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Utah Cancer Specialists PC

Ogden, UT 
 4.6 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Belisario Arango is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Ogden, Utah. Dr. Arango and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). His top areas of expertise are Leukemia, Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, and Lynch Syndrome. Dr. Arango is currently accepting new patients.

Pediatric Hematology Oncology | Pediatrics | Hematology Oncology
Pediatric Hematology Oncology | Pediatrics | Hematology Oncology
100 N Medical Dr, Bmt, 
Salt Lake City, UT 
 32.1 mi

Michael Boyer is a Pediatric Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Pediatrics provider in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Boyer and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). His top areas of expertise are Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Hepatic Venoocclusive Disease with Immunodeficiency, Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and Bone Marrow Transplant.

 
 
 
 
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Pediatric Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Pediatric Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Ihc Health Services Inc

8 Th Ave And C St, 
Salt Lake City, UT 
 31.1 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Julie Asch is a Pediatric Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Asch and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Her top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia without Maturation, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant. Dr. Asch is currently accepting new patients.

What are the support groups for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

Those who respond to treatment right away tend to do better. Most children with ALL can be cured. Children often have a better outcome than adults.

What are the possible complications of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

Both leukemia itself and the treatment can lead to many problems such as bleeding, weight loss, and infections.

When should I contact a medical professional for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

Contact your provider if you or your child develops symptoms of ALL.

How do I prevent Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

The risk for developing ALL may be reduced by avoiding contact with certain toxins, radiation, and chemicals.

What are the latest Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Clinical Trials?
A Randomized Phase II Study Comparing Inotuzumab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Standard Chemotherapy in Older Adults with Philadelphia-Chromosome-Negative B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Summary: This phase II trial compares the combination of inotuzumab ozogamicin and chemotherapy to the usual chemotherapy in treating patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Inotuzumab ozogamicin is a monoclonal antibody, called inotuzumab, linked to a drug, called CalichDMH. Inotuzumab is a form of targeted therapy because it attaches to specific molecules (rece...

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A Pilot Trial to Evaluate Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Testing and Monitoring of B-Cell Recovery to Guide Management Following CAR T-cell Induced Remission in Pediatric Patients With B Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapy is a form of immunotherapy which can be used to treat people with relapsed B-ALL. For those who achieve remission after CART alone, it may cure up to 50% of people who receive this therapy. However, for people who relapse after CART, it can be hard to achieve remission again. In patients where CART fails, stem cell transplant (HCT) can be used to pre...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: February 02, 2023
Published By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Monsey, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Internal review and update on 07/17/2024 by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

National Cancer Institute website. Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/hp/adult-all-treatment-pdq. Updated March 28, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2024.

National Cancer Institute website. Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/hp/child-all-treatment-pdq. Updated June 18, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2024.

Pillai PM, Carroll WL. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In: Fish JD, Lipton JM, Lanzkowsky P, eds. Lanzkowsky's Manual of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.