Blood Cancer Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Overview

Blood Cancer Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a malignancy of lymphoid cells affecting B or T lymphocyte cell lineages, arresting maturation and producing immature blast cells. It is the commonest cancer of childhood.

Signs and Symptoms

Fever with or without chills, Weakness, Fatigue, Weight loss, Swollen lymph nodes, Easy bruising or bleeding, Tiny red spots on the skin, Excessive sweating, Bone pain or tenderness, Enlarged spleen or liver, Frequent or recurrent infections, Anemia

Common Causes

Radiation exposure during pregnancy, Exposure to certain chemicals, Genetic factors

Risk Factors

Previous cancer treatment where people who have had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy of other cancers, Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome has some association, Smoking cigarettes, Family history of leukemia, Exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene which is found in gasoline and used by chemical industry, Radiation exposure to the fetus during pregnancy

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Urinalysis, Blood cultures, Peripheral blood smear, Liver function test, Blood sugar level,Clotting factors, CT scan, Bone marrow test

Treatment and Prevention

Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Antibiotics for infection, Supportive therapy such as blood or platelet transfusions and IV fluids, Bone marrow or stem cell transplant