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Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) - Overview

Alternative Names

ALL; Acute childhood leukemia; Cancer - acute childhood leukemia (ALL); Leukemia - acute childhood (ALL)

Definition of Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL):

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer in which the body produces a large number of immature white blood cells (lymphocytes). These cells are found in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

ALL makes up 80% of childhood acute leukemias. Most cases occur in children ages 3 - 7. The disease may also occur in adults.

In acute leukemia, cancerous cells multiply quickly and replace normal cells. Cancerous cells take over normal parts of the bone marrow, causing bone marrow failure. A person with ALL is more likely to bleed and have infections because there are fewer normal blood cells.

Most cases of ALL have no obvious cause. However, the following may play a role in the development of leukemia:

Chromosome problems
Radiation
Some chemotherapy drugs
Toxins such as benzene

Persons with Down syndrome or who have a brother or sister with leukemia are at increased risk for ALL.

Bone marrow aspiration

Acute lymphocytic leukemia - photomicrograph

Auer rods

Bone marrow from hip

Immune system structures

Reviewed last on: 3/2/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Appelbaum FR. The acute leukemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 194.

National Cancer Institute. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - adult, treatment (PDQ). Accessed February 24, 2009.

National Cancer Institute. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - childhood, treatment (PDQ). 2008. Accessed February 24, 2009.

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