Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Acute lymphocytic leukaemia is a form of cancer where there is an error in the

DNA which forms an unhealthy development of cells in bone marrow. Instead
of a healthy cell process of stopping division of cells and eventually dying, this
error signifies the cells to continue growing and dividing causing an abnormal
blood cell production. This production causes the bone marrow to produce
immature cells later developing into leukemic white blood cells called
lymphoblasts; which crowd healthy cells as they are unable to function
properly. The cause of acute lymphocytic leukaemia is unclear and most causes
of acute lymphocytic leukaemia are not inherited.

Symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukaemia include of enlarged/swollen lymph

nodes, easy bruising, bone pain, bleeding from the gums, nosebleeds and
frequent infections. Along with fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, night sweats,
pallor, red spots on skin, shortness of breath and weight loss.

Risk factors in increasing the risk of acute lymphocytic leukaemia include of

previous cancer treatment- people whom have had certain chemotherapy and
radiation therapy treatments in the past. Exposure to radiation- people whom
have been exposed to high levels of radiation in the past. Genetic disorders,
such as down syndrome- are associate and having a sibling including a twin
with acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

In diagnosing acute lymphocytic leukaemia doctors perform a blood test to

start off (a CBC, Complete Blood Count). Later examining a sample of bone
marrow even if the CBC shows leukaemia in the blood cells to get a full
confirmation of the exact diagnosis.

Treatment for acute lymphocytic leukaemia in adults is a long-term treatment

of chemotherapy. A more intensive chemotherapy regimen movement by
doctors has begun which has led to more responses. An unfortunate side effect
of these regimens is an abnormally low production of white blood cells,
causing patients in need of taking other drugs to help prevent or treat this
issue. Acute lymphocytic leukaemia treatment has three phases starting with
induction (or remission induction) then consolidation (intensification) finalising
with maintenance.
Whilst adult Acute lymphocytic leukaemia treatment is a long-term
chemotherapy treatment; a childs treatment is a combination of with or
without total-body irradiation chemotherapy. Later having a stem cell
transplant using stem cells from a donor.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-lymphocytic-
leukemia/basics/risk-factors/con-20042915

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia/treating/typical-
treatment.html