ALL is a cancer of the white blood cells. There is an overproduction of immature lymphocytes, called lymphoblasts (sometimes referred to as blast cells). It occurs most frequently in children under 15; in adults it is more common between the ages of 15–25 and in older people. The exact cause of ALL is not known, but research is going on to find out. Like other cancers, it is not infectious and can't be passed on to other people.
Symptoms of Acute Leukemia
- Pale skin
- Prolonged bleeding or unusual bleeding from minor cuts, gums,heavy periods in women
- Feeling generally unwell and run down
- Having a fever and sweats
- Aches and discomfort in bones, joints
- Raised bluish-purple areas under the skin - due to leukaemia cells in the skin
- Swollen gums, caused by leukaemia cells in the gums
- Shortness of breath: during normal physical activity
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
HOW LEUKEMIA IS DIAGNOSED
Most people with ALL are referred to a specialist for treatment. The specialist after taking full medical history and complete physical examination order a blood test (CBC, Peripheral Smear) to check the numbers of all the different types of blood cell. If the blood test suggests leukemia then a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is performed. This is the most important test to find out the exact type of leukemia you have, and gives information that the doctors need to plan the best treatment for you. Several tests are then carried out on the bone marrow such as immune-phenotyping (Type of blood cell which has turned cancerous) and chromosome analysis (cytogenetics).
TREATMENT OVERVIEW
The aim of treatment for ALL is to destroy the leukemia cells and allow the bone marrow to work normally again. Various factors are considered while planning your treatment such as the type of ALL, any chromosomal abnormalities and your age and general health. Chemotherapy (drug treatment) is the main type of treatment given for ALL. However, the chemotherapy drugs can't get into the fluid around the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid – CSF), so they need to be injected directly into the fluid through a lumbar puncture called as INTRATHECAL chemotherapy. Treatment is divided into three phases.
- Induction: This is the initial intensive phase of treatment, aimed at destroying as many leukaemia cells as possible. It usually achieves a remission of the disease
- Intensification (Consolidation): After the induction phase, more chemotherapy is given to increase the chance of destroying any remaining leukemia cells that cannot be seen in the blood or bone marrow
- Maintenance: This treatment reduces the risk of the leukemia coming back at a later stage after treatment has finished. It's a less intensive course of chemotherapy
AML is an overproduction of an early myeloid cell. In most types of AML the leukaemia cells are immature white cells. But, in some less common types of AML, too many immature platelets or immature red blood cells are made.
TREATMENT OVERVIEW
Treatment for AML aims to destroy the leukemia cells and allow the bone marrow to work normally again. When there is no sign of the leukaemia and the marrow is working normally this is called remission. For some people with AML the remission lasts indefinitely and the person is said to be cured. It's important that you have access to a specialist called as hemato - oncologist.
Types of AML Treatment
- Chemotherapy: Most patients with AML start chemotherapy right away
- Stem cell transplantation:This may be used with a second phase of chemotherapy
- Other drug therapies:Drugs such as arsenic and ATRA are used to treat AML (subtype M3)
If you're age 60 or older, your treatment may vary from standard approaches. For instance, your body may not be able to tolerate toxic chemotherapy drugs or you may have other ailments that are more common as we age. If your cancer has returned (relapsed) or it's still present after you finish standard therapy (refractory leukemia), you may have a different treatment approach than the first time around
