Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a
rare disease that can have a severe impact. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia most
commonly develops in children, teenagers, and young adults. It has more
impact on boys than girls.
About 85% of the cases that affect
children happen for those younger than 15 (mostly between 0 and 5 ages). The
blood-borne acute lymphoblastic leukaemia can spread to other organs, such as
the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. However, it typically does not produce
tumors like other cancers. Continue reading to know more information about
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia:
What
is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
White blood cells in your bone
marrow, the soft interior of your bones, are the origin of the blood cancer
known as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). It grows from immature
lymphocytes, a crucial subset of white blood cells for your immune system.
Acute lymphoid or lymphocytic
leukaemia is an additional name for ALL. “Acute” denotes that it
worsens rapidly. The most prevalent type of leukaemia, or blood cancer, is in
children, and it is rare in adults.
Causes
A bone marrow cell develops
alterations (mutations) in its DNA or genetic code, which results in acute
lymphocytic leukaemia. The instructions directing a cell’s behaviour are
encoded in its DNA.
Normally, a cell’s DNA instructs it
to develop at a specific rate and to die at a specific period. The mutations in
acute lymphocytic leukaemia direct the bone marrow cell to carry out more
division and growth.
Blood cell production then spirals
out of control as a result. Lymphoblasts are immature cells that the bone
marrow creates that mature into leukemic white blood cells. These abnormal
cells are unable to operate normally, and they have a tendency to accumulate
and suffocate healthy cells.
There is no known reason for the DNA
alterations that might result in acute lymphocytic leukaemia.
Symptoms
of Acute lymphocytic leukaemia
A deficiency in normal circulating
blood cells is the primary source of ALL’s symptoms. Due to the rapid
development of ALL, patient typically only experience symptoms for a brief time
(days or weeks) before receiving a diagnosis.
Common
symptoms of ALL include:
- Anaemia from a shortage of red blood cells is one of
the typical signs of ALL. ALL can cause chronic fatigue, lightheadedness,
pallor, or shortness of breath. - A shortage of normal white blood cells, particularly
neutrophils, results in recurrent or frequent infections and sluggish
recovery. - Increased or unforeseen bruising or bleeding as a
result of an extremely low platelet count. - Pain in the bones or joints as a result of the marrow’s
overcrowding of leukemic cells.
Other symptoms include swollen lymph
nodes (glands), chest pain, or discomfort in the abdomen from an enlarged
spleen or liver. Occasionally, ALL is identified via a routine blood test, even
in patients who have no symptoms.
It is crucial to see your doctor so
that you may be examined and treated appropriately. It is because some of the
symptoms mentioned may also be present in other disorders, such as viral
infections.
Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukemia Diagnosis
Your doctor will enquire about your
symptoms and medical background. They will perform a physical examination to
check for enlarged lymph nodes, bleeding, bruising, or infection indications.
Your doctor may order tests if they
have a suspicion of leukaemia, such as:
- Blood tests –
Your total number of blood cells is revealed by a complete blood count
(CBC). A peripheral blood smear looks for alterations in your blood cell’s
appearance. - Bone marrow test – A sample of your bone marrow will be removed by your
doctor after inserting a needle into a bone in your hip or chest. A
professional will examine it under a microscope for leukaemia symptoms. - Imaging test –
If cancer has spread, your doctor can learn them using X-rays, CT scans,
or ultrasounds. - Spinal tap –
A sample of the fluid surrounding your spinal cord will be taken by your
doctor using a needle. To determine if cancer has spread to your brain or
spinal cord, a professional can examine it.
Additionally, your doctor may
examine the markers on cancer cells or check your blood or bone marrow for
chromosome changes. The findings will assist them in better understanding the
type of leukaemia you have and will aid in the planning of your care.
Treating
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Treatment typically starts a few
days after diagnosis because acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is an aggressive
disease.
- Remission induction
– The initial phase of treatment tries to eradicate the leukaemia cells in
your bone marrow. It restores the proper cell balance in your blood and
alleviates any symptoms you may be experiencing. - Consolidation
– It seeks to eradicate any leftover leukaemia, - Maintenance –
During this phase, chemotherapy medications must be taken on a regular
basis to prevent leukaemia from returning.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is
primarily treated with chemotherapy. To find a cure, it may occasionally be
necessary to undergo a stem cell transplant.
Outlook
The age of a person with acute
lymphoblastic leukaemia is one of the main factors influencing their outlook.
The outlook is better if a person receives a diagnosis and starts receiving
treatment early.
According
to the research,
- More than 90% of people under the age of 14 who are
diagnosed with leukaemia will survive for at least five years after
diagnosis. - About 70% of people between the ages of 15 and 24 survive
for five years after diagnosis. - Nearly 4 in 10 individuals aged 25 to 64 and nearly 15
in 100 individuals aged 65 or older will survive leukaemia for five years
following diagnosis.
Acute
lymphoblastic leukaemia Treatment in India
Leukaemia is the sixth most common
form of cancer, affecting about 1.24 million people worldwide. The survival
rate of leukaemia patients in India has been steadily increasing for a few
decades now.
The survival rate increase is
because of the improvements in medical technology, improved training, and
greater abilities among doctors. While offering the same world-class facilities
and treatment as other developed nations, also the ALL treatment cost in India is substantially less expensive.
Bottom
Line
If you feel you have the
above-mentioned symptoms, then consult your doctor about treatment procedures
for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It will be a wise decision to take treatment
as soon as possible to avoid serious consequences.
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