From Wikipedia, the free available encyclopedia
WHAT IS ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (
ALL) is a form of
leukemia, or
cancer of the white blood cells characterized by excess
lymphoblasts.
Malignant, immature
white blood cells continuously multiply and are overproduced in the
bone marrow. ALL causes damage and death by crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow, and by spreading (
infiltrating) to other organs. ALL is most common in childhood with a peak incidence at 2–5 years of age, and another peak in old age. The overall cure rate in children is about 80%, and about 45%-60% of adults have long-term disease-free survival.
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Acute refers to the relatively short time course of the disease (being fatal in as little as a few weeks if left untreated) to differentiate it from the very different disease of
chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which has a potential time course of many years. It is interchangeably referred to as Lymphocytic or Lymphoblastic. This refers to the cells that are involved, which if they were normal would be referred to as
lymphocytes but are seen in this disease in a relatively immature (also termed 'blast') state.
Symptoms
Initial
symptoms are not specific to ALL, but worsen to the point that medical help is sought. They result from the lack of normal and healthy blood cells because they are crowded out by malignant and immature leukocytes (white blood cells). Therefore, people with ALL experience symptoms from malfunctioning of their erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes, and platelets. Laboratory tests that might show abnormalities include blood count tests, renal function tests, electrolyte tests, and liver enzyme tests.
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The signs and symptoms of ALL are variable but follow from bone marrow replacement and/or organ infiltration.
- Generalized weakness and fatigue
- Anemia
- Frequent or unexplained fever and infection
- Weight loss and/or loss of appetite
- Excessive and unexplained bruising
- Bone pain, joint pain (caused by the spread of "blast" cells to the surface of the bone or into the joint from the marrow cavity)
- Breathlessness
- Enlarged lymph nodes,liver and/or spleen
- Pitting edema (swelling) in the lower limbs and/or abdomen
- Petechia, which are tiny red spots or lines in the skin due to low platelet levels
My eldest sister, Lily was diagnosed having Acute Lympo Leukemia. We don;t know how she got it, and since when she had it. But now she is admitted at QEH for treatment. She have done a few time of chemo treatment since she was admitted there a month ago.
She been in the ward for a month now, and I see a slow progress of recovery. I know she is a strong woman, she will fight back. Her hair starting to fall now.
I hope she try hard to fight back, take the medication as given by the doctor. Eat plenty of food. But there is time, she just lost appetite due to the chemo treatment , making her tongue taste all food and drink become bitter. In her mind, she wanted to eat almost everything, but when the food/drink in front of her, she just could not taste them good.
Seeing her getting thinner each day really make my heart pains and hurt. Its make me cry. I always remember her as a strong person, never said she is sick even though she feel pains all over her body. She just hate to go to clinic and see a doctor. She always says, she is over working. But now.....
" Dear beloved sister, please fight back, you can do it, as you always do. Be strong , listen to doctor advises, eat plenty of food, and take the medication given.We sorry, we cannot be at the hospital 24/7 taking care of you, but when we have time, we visit you always. We always believe the doctors and nurses are there to look after you and other patients. We love and care for you, you always in our heart and prayers, take care and GET WELL SOON!
