Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, refers to
an abnormal growth of lymphocyte precursors or lymphoblasts.
What is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Acute leukemias have large numbers of immature leukocytes and overproduction of cells in the
blast stage of maturation.
● Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic
leukemia, refers to an abnormal growth of lymphocyte precursors or lymphoblasts.
● Acute leukemia is a malignant proliferation of white blood cell precursors in bone
marrow or lymph tissue, and their accumulation in peripheral blood, bone marrow,
and body tissues.
● About 20% of leukemias are acute.
Pathophysiology
Pathogenesis isn’t clearly understood, but the pathophysiology may be explained by the
following:
● Accumulation. Due to the precipitating factors, immature, non-functioning WBCs
appear to accumulate first in the tissue where they originate (lymphocytes in lymph
tissue, granulocytes in bone marrow).
● Infiltration. These immature WBCs then spill into the bloodstream and from there
infiltrate other tissues.
● Malfunction. Eventually, this infiltration results in organ malfunction because of
encroachment and hemorrhage.
● Schematic diagram and pathophysiology
Statistics and Incidences
One of the most common forms of acute leukemia is acute lymphocytic leukemia.
● Acute lymphocytic leukemia is more common in males than in females, in whites
(especially in people of Jewish descent), in children (between ages 2 and 5), and in
people who live in urban and industrialized areas.
● 80% of all leukemias between 2 and 5 years old are ALL.
● Acute leukemias account for 20% of adult leukemias.
, ● Among children, however, it is the most common form of cancer.
● Incidence is 6 out of every 100, 000 people.
Causes
Research on predisposing factors isn’t conclusive but points to some combination of viruses,
immunologic factors, genetic factors, and exposure to radiation and certain chemicals.
● Congenital disorders. Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia,
congenital agammaglobulinemia, and ataxia-telangiectasia usually predisposes to
ALL.
● Familial tendency. Genetics also play a part in the development of ALL.
● Viruses. Viral remnants have been found in leukemic cells, so they are likely one of
the causes of ALL.
Clinical Manifestations
Signs of acute lymphocytic leukemia may be gradual or abrupt.
● High fever. High fever accompanied by thrombocytopenia and abnormal bleeding
(such as nosebleeds and gingival bleeding) manifests in the patient.
● Bruising. Easy bruising after minor trauma is a sign of leukemia.
● Dyspnea. A decrease in the mature blood components leads to dyspnea.
● Anemia. Anemia is present in ALL because of a decrease in mature RBCs.
● Fatigue. The patient experiences fatigue more frequently than normal.
● Tachycardia. As the oxygen-carrying component of the blood decreases, the body
compensates by pumping out blood faster than normal.
Complications
Untreated, acute leukemia is invariably fatal, usually because of complications that result from
leukemic cell infiltration of the bone marrow and vital organs.
● Infection. Immature WBCs are not fit to defend the body against pathogens, so
infection is always a possible complication to watch out for.
● Organ malfunction. Encroachment or hemorrhage occurs when immature WBCs
spill into the bloodstream and other tissues and eventually lead to organ or tissue
malfunction.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, refers to
an abnormal growth of lymphocyte precursors or lymphoblasts.
What is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Acute leukemias have large numbers of immature leukocytes and overproduction of cells in the
blast stage of maturation.
● Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic
leukemia, refers to an abnormal growth of lymphocyte precursors or lymphoblasts.
● Acute leukemia is a malignant proliferation of white blood cell precursors in bone
marrow or lymph tissue, and their accumulation in peripheral blood, bone marrow,
and body tissues.
● About 20% of leukemias are acute.
Pathophysiology
Pathogenesis isn’t clearly understood, but the pathophysiology may be explained by the
following:
● Accumulation. Due to the precipitating factors, immature, non-functioning WBCs
appear to accumulate first in the tissue where they originate (lymphocytes in lymph
tissue, granulocytes in bone marrow).
● Infiltration. These immature WBCs then spill into the bloodstream and from there
infiltrate other tissues.
● Malfunction. Eventually, this infiltration results in organ malfunction because of
encroachment and hemorrhage.
● Schematic diagram and pathophysiology
Statistics and Incidences
One of the most common forms of acute leukemia is acute lymphocytic leukemia.
● Acute lymphocytic leukemia is more common in males than in females, in whites
(especially in people of Jewish descent), in children (between ages 2 and 5), and in
people who live in urban and industrialized areas.
● 80% of all leukemias between 2 and 5 years old are ALL.
● Acute leukemias account for 20% of adult leukemias.
, ● Among children, however, it is the most common form of cancer.
● Incidence is 6 out of every 100, 000 people.
Causes
Research on predisposing factors isn’t conclusive but points to some combination of viruses,
immunologic factors, genetic factors, and exposure to radiation and certain chemicals.
● Congenital disorders. Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia,
congenital agammaglobulinemia, and ataxia-telangiectasia usually predisposes to
ALL.
● Familial tendency. Genetics also play a part in the development of ALL.
● Viruses. Viral remnants have been found in leukemic cells, so they are likely one of
the causes of ALL.
Clinical Manifestations
Signs of acute lymphocytic leukemia may be gradual or abrupt.
● High fever. High fever accompanied by thrombocytopenia and abnormal bleeding
(such as nosebleeds and gingival bleeding) manifests in the patient.
● Bruising. Easy bruising after minor trauma is a sign of leukemia.
● Dyspnea. A decrease in the mature blood components leads to dyspnea.
● Anemia. Anemia is present in ALL because of a decrease in mature RBCs.
● Fatigue. The patient experiences fatigue more frequently than normal.
● Tachycardia. As the oxygen-carrying component of the blood decreases, the body
compensates by pumping out blood faster than normal.
Complications
Untreated, acute leukemia is invariably fatal, usually because of complications that result from
leukemic cell infiltration of the bone marrow and vital organs.
● Infection. Immature WBCs are not fit to defend the body against pathogens, so
infection is always a possible complication to watch out for.
● Organ malfunction. Encroachment or hemorrhage occurs when immature WBCs
spill into the bloodstream and other tissues and eventually lead to organ or tissue
malfunction.
