Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of immature lymphoid blood cells that crowds normal cells out of the bone marrow.
Key takeaways
- Fatigue, pallor, repeated infections, bruising, bleeding or bone pain may prompt testing but are not specific to ALL.
- Diagnosis requires blood and bone-marrow tests, with genetic findings helping define the subtype and treatment plan.
- Therapy is specialist-led, occurs in phases and needs close monitoring for infection, bleeding and treatment toxicity.
The listings below are not a treatment plan; ALL medicines are selected and monitored by a haematology team.
How ALL is diagnosed
A full blood count may show abnormal white cells, anaemia or low platelets. Bone-marrow examination confirms the disease, while immunophenotyping and chromosome or molecular tests identify features that affect risk and treatment. Lumbar puncture may assess the central nervous system.
What treatment involves
Treatment generally includes induction to achieve remission, consolidation to remove residual disease and maintenance in appropriate subtypes. Drug combinations, targeted therapy, central-nervous-system treatment or stem-cell transplantation may be considered. Supportive transfusions and infection prevention are integral parts of care.
When to seek urgent care
Contact the treating team urgently for fever during treatment, uncontrolled bleeding, new confusion, severe breathlessness, collapse or sudden marked weakness.