Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the body's white blood cells (WBCs).
White blood cells help fight infection and protect the body against disease. But in leukemia, some of the white blood cells turn cancerous and don't work as they should. As more cancerous cells form in the blood and bone marrow (spongy tissue inside the bones), there's less room for healthy cells.
The different types of leukemia can be either acute (fast growing) or chronic (slow growing).
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) happens when the body makes too many lymphoblasts (a type of white blood cell). It's the most common type of childhood cancer. ALL is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute lymphoid leukemia.
ALL can affect different types of lymphocytes (B-cells or T-cells). Doctors divide acute lymphoblastic leukemia into subtypes based on the type of lymphocytes involved. Most kids with ALL have a B-cell subtype.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia develops and gets worse quickly. So prompt diagnosis is very important. Thanks to advances in therapy and clinical trials, the outlook for kids with ALL is promising. With treatment, most are cured.
The cause of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is not known. But some risk factors might increase a child's chances of developing it.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia can happen in people of all ages, but is most common in kids ages 2 to 5.
Risk factors for kids include:
All types of leukemia generally have the same symptoms. These include:
Doctors use special tests when they suspect leukemia. These include:
Doctors usually treat children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with chemotherapy. These special drugs kill cancer cells. Which drugs a child gets and in what combination depends on the subtype of ALL and how aggressive the disease is. How the cancer responds to the initial treatment is also important in choosing the type of chemo.
Doctors can give chemo:
The treatment goal is remission, which is when tests don't find any cancer cells in the body. Then, maintenance chemotherapy is used to keep the child in remission and prevent the cancer from coming back. The child will get maintenance chemo for 2 to 3 years.
Kids who have an aggressive type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia might need a stem cell transplant. Also called a bone marrow transplant, this involves:
Clinical trials are research studies that offer promising new treatments not yet available to the public. Doctors will decide if a child is a good candidate for a clinical trial.
In most cases, no one can control the things that trigger acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Studies are looking into the possibility that some environmental things may put a child at risk for ALL.
Prenatal radiation exposure, such as X-rays, may trigger ALL in an unborn baby. Pregnant women and those who think they could be pregnant should tell their doctors before having tests or medical procedures that involve radiation.
Learning that a child has cancer is upsetting, and cancer treatment can be stressful for any family.
But remember, you're not alone. To find support, talk to your doctor or a hospital social worker. Many resources are available to help you get through this difficult time.
Reviewed by: Emi H. Caywood, MD
Date Reviewed: 15-10-2018