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Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a
disease that affects the lymphocytes and cells in the bone
marrow which make lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood
cells which produce antibodies and which are vital parts of
the body's immune system.
Lymphocytes are grouped into several different types of cells,
although very immature lymphocytes have not yet committed
themselves to a type. The two main groups are:
- T cells, which kills viruses and cells
which are "foreign" to the body, and
- B cells, which produce antibodies
and thus help fight off infections.
There are two major ways of describing the leukemia cells
in acute lymphocytic leukemia. One of these systems is mainly
based on the appearance of the leukemia cells under the microscope.
The other main system is based on the type of lymphocyte affected
(the B cell, the T cell or not definable as either). Together
these classifications help predict the response to treatment.
About 60 to 80% of adults with acute lymphocytic leukemia
will go into complete remission after the first course of
treatment. They will have no signs or symptoms of the disease
and test results will be normal.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Symptoms and Diagnosis
Acute lymphocytic leukemia symptoms include anemia, excessive
bruising and cuts that heal slowly or not at all and recurrent
infections, especially of the skin or ear.
A definitive diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia is made
only after a microscopic examination of blood and marrow samples
reveals excessive numbers of blast cells in both locations.
A hematologist (a physician specializing in blood) diagnosing
Acute lymphocytic leukemia may also specify a sub-type of
acute lymphocytic leukemia depending on the size of the blasts
cells and whether the immature blast cells most closely resemble
B- or T-lymphocytes (two types of white blood cells). The
particular sub-type of Acute lymphocytic leukemia as well
as the age and the general health of the patient are important
factors in selecting a treatment. In Acute lymphocytic leukemia,
the blast cells may also collect in the brain, spinal cord
and/or lymph nodes. These are also important factors to consider
when a doctor and patient plan a treatment strategy.
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Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
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