Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
¿What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the abnormal growth of immature cells (blasts) in the bone marrow.
These immature cells displace normal cells (red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets) causing fever, fatigue, rapid bruising, bleeding problems, infections, among other alterations. Acute leukemia usually causes symptoms to get worse over a short period of time.
¿What is the etiology?
Its etiology is still unknown, but it is associated with risk factors such as:
✓ Predisposing genetic factors (5%).
✓ Congenital disease (10-30 times> risk): Fanconi anemia, Bloom Syndrome, Ataxia-telangiectasia, Down syndrome.
✓ Exposure to Radiation.
✓ Exposure to pesticides.
✓ Patients who are treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy for other types of cancer can develop acute leukemias.
¿What is the incidence?
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is the most common malignant disease in the pediatric population.
ALL corresponds to 75% of oncological diseases.
The maximum peak incidence is between 2 and 5 years of age.
ALL is more common in males than females.
¿What are the most common signs and symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) include the following:
- Frequent infections.
- Fever.
- Rapid bruising.
- Difficulty stopping bleeding.
- Dark red, smooth, tiny spots on the skin (petechiae) due to bleeding under the skin.
- Pain in the bones or joints.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, abdomen, or groin.
- Pain or a feeling of fullness below the rib cage.
- Extreme fatigue or weakness.
- Pallor.
- Loss of appetite.
- Difficulty breathing.
¿How it is diagnosed?
The specialist will perform a detailed analysis of the patient’s medical history, complete physical examination, request complete blood laboratories and specialized tests that will indicate the diagnosis of ALL.
¿What is the treatment?
The main therapy or treatment for patients diagnosed with ALL is chemotherapy.
There are different treatment options, the specialist will indicate the appropriate treatment for each patient depending on the risk group.
Within the group of chemotherapeutic agents, asparaginase plays a very important role in the treatment of ALL, because it eliminates leukemic cells.
There are 3 types of asparaginase, two derived from a bacterium called E. Coli and one derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi.
When patients have allergic reactions to E. coli derived asparaginase, patients can continue their treatment with Erwinia asparaginase.
Love|Understanding|Support
Dream|Life|Learn
Change|Assistance|Growth
This website is intended solely for informational purposes for healthcare professionals. At no time is self-medication encouraged without the medical prescription of a healthcare professional.