Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (pronounced: uh-kyoot lim-foh-blas-tik loo-kee-mee-uh), often abbreviated as ALL, is a type of cancer that originates from the early version of white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow.
Etymology
The term "Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia" is derived from the Greek words "akutos" (meaning sharp or severe), "lympho" (referring to the clear fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system), "blastos" (meaning germ or bud), and "leukos" (meaning white). The term "leukemia" is derived from the Greek words "leukos" and "haima" (meaning blood).
Definition
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a rapidly progressing cancer that affects the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system. In ALL, the bone marrow produces a large number of immature lymphocytes, which are not capable of fighting infections effectively.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia may include fatigue, frequent infections, fever, easy bruising or bleeding, shortness of breath, and bone or joint pain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of ALL typically involves blood tests, bone marrow tests, and genetic tests. The complete blood count (CBC) is often used to detect changes in the number of blood cells.
Treatment
Treatment for ALL usually involves chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes stem cell transplant. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, including the patient's age, overall health, and the subtype of ALL.
Prognosis
The prognosis for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia varies depending on a variety of factors, including the patient's age, the subtype of ALL, and the patient's response to treatment.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- Wikipedia's article - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
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