What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is rapidly spreading cancer that affects white blood cells. Lymphocytes are various white blood cells that are involved in combat infections. In this disease, bone marrow produces many non -formulated cells called explosions that would evolve on lymphocytes in a healthy person. Overall, however, these explosions do not develop and are unable to fight infections. These abnormal cells, known as leukemic cells, multiply rapidly, pushing the healthy blood cells that the body needs.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is diagnosed when blood and bone marrow tests reveal a large amount of abnormal lymphocyte explosions. After this diagnosis, doctors will perform tests to determine what specific type of lymphocyte cells is affected. Other measurement tests and the amount of leukemic cells will help the doctor know how far the disease proceeded. Cytogenetics is an area of tests that can be used to detect the changes that have developed in the chromosomes of leukemic Bunek. The lumbar puncture puncture will be used to determine whether cancer cells are present in a liquid surrounding the central nervous system.
types and magnitude of symptoms patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia depend on the amount of leukemic cells present and degrees in which they reduced the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and plates. The low number of red blood cells can lead to anemia with accompanying fatigue and weakness. Since white blood cells are infection fighters, low number of them can lead to fever and frequent incidence of infections. Plates play a role in blood clotting, so that the low amounts of these cells will lead to easy bleeding and bruising. High amounts of cell leukemia can also cause joint or bone pain, poor appetite and vomiting.
As acute lymphoblastic leukemieapids grow, doctors normally start treatment immediately. Chemotherapy, which is a medicine that killsCancer cells will be prescribed for all patients. Radiation therapy is usually not prescribed in all, except for cases of children where the disease is likely to be in the central nervous system. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), also known as umbilical blood transplantation, provides the best probability of long -term remission. Because transplants can cause serious problems, this option is recommended in patients who are unlikely to receive long -term remission in itself.
The prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia will be influenced by certain factors. The patient's age affects recovery. Other factors include whether malignant cells have reached the brain and spinal cord and whether the cancer has been re -induced.