“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is a cancer of the white blood cells, specifically the lymphocytes, which are responsible for fighting infections in the body.
ALL occurs when abnormal, immature lymphocytes, called lymphoblasts, grow and multiply uncontrollably in the bone marrow. These abnormal cells do not function properly and do not mature into healthy white blood cells. Instead, they accumulate in the bone marrow and can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and brain.
Symptoms of ALL may include fatigue, weakness, fever, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, bone pain, and swollen lymph nodes. The diagnosis of ALL is made by a combination of blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging studies.
Treatment for ALL usually involves chemotherapy, which kills cancer cells throughout the body. Other treatments may include radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation. The goal of treatment is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible and achieve a remission, which is a period of time when there are no signs of leukemia in the body.
The outlook for people with ALL varies depending on factors such as age, overall health, and the genetic characteristics of the cancer cells. With modern treatment, many people with ALL are able to achieve remission and live for many years with good quality of life. However, ALL can be a serious and life-threatening illness, especially if it is not treated promptly and aggressively.