What is Acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer that affects the white blood cells, (cells that fight infection and help protect the body against disease) a malignant (clonal) disease of the bone marrow in which early lymphoid precursors proliferate and replace the normal hematopoietic cells of the marrow. ALL is characterised by an overproduction of immature white blood cells, called lymphoblasts or leukaemic blasts.

ALL Patients have too many immature white blood cells in their bone marrow. And these cells crowd out the normal white blood cells in bone marrow, preventing it from making normal blood cells that Fighting infections.
They can also spill out into the blood stream and circulate around the body. Due to their immaturity, these cells are unable to function properly to prevent or fight infection. The body gets harder time fighting infections.

ALL is a type of leukemia that starts from white blood cells in the bone marrow, the soft inner part of bones. It develops from cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell central to the immune system, or from lymphoblasts, an immature type of lymphocyte.


The cause for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) depends on factors such as:

1. Your age: Younger patients tend to have a better outlook.
2. Your lab test results: The prognosis is better if you have a lower white blood count when you're diagnosed.
3. Your subtype of ALL (B-cell ALL or T-cell ALL)
4. Whether you have a chromosome abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome; having it suggests a poorer prognosis.
5. Your response to chemotherapy: The prognosis is better if you have no evidence of leukemia four to five weeks after starting treatment.

Symptoms of Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Initial symptoms are not specific to Acute lymphoblastic leukemia {ALL}, but worsen to the point that medical help is sought. They result from the lack or inadequate of normal and healthy blood cells in the body system. because they are outnumbered by malignant leukocytes (immature white blood cells).

Therefore, people with ALL experience symptoms from malfunctioning of their erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes, and platelets. Laboratory tests that might show abnormalities include blood count tests, renal function tests, electrolyte tests, and liver enzyme tests.

The signs and symptoms of ALL are variable but follow from bone marrow replacement and/or organ infiltration.

• Anemia
• Breathlessness
• Bone pain and jont pain
• Dizziness
• Excessive and unexplained bruising
• Enlarged lymph nodes, liver and/or spleen
• Frequent or unexplained fever and infection
• Generalized weakness and fatigue
• Pitting edema (swelling) in the lower limbs and/or abdomen
• Petechiae, which are tiny red spots or lines in the skin due to low platelet levels
• Weight loss and/or loss of appetite