Acute lymphoblastic leukemia overview
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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Microchapters |
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Differentiating Acute lymphoblastic leukemia from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Acute lymphoblastic leukemia overview |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Acute lymphoblastic leukemia |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Acute lymphoblastic leukemia overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a form of leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells. Acute refers to the undifferentiated, immature state of the circulating lymphocytes ("blasts") and to the rapid progression of disease, which can be fatal in weeks to months if left untreated.
The classification subtyping of the various forms of Acute limphocytic leukemia used to be done according to the French-American-British (FAB) classification which was used for all Acute leukemias (including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)). As Acute lymphocytic leukemia is not a solid tumour, the TxNxMx notation as used in solid cancers only. The recent World Health Organization International panel on Acute lymphoblastic leukemia recommends that this classification be abandoned, since the morphological classification has no clinical or prognostic relevance. But here you can find both classifications for academic and historic porpouses.
The cause of most Acute lympoblastic leukemias is not known. In leukemias, including Acute lymphoblastic leukemia chromosomal translocations occurs regularly and can trigger oncogenes. Some families have a hereditary predisposition. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is associated with exposure to radiation in animals and humans. Malignant, immature white blood cells continuously multiply and are overproduced in the bone marrow. There are specific markers for B-cell Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Diagnostic confusion with Acute myelogenous leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, and malignant lymphoma is not uncommon. Proper diagnosis is crucial because of the difference in prognosis and treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia and Acute Myelogenous leukemia.