Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

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Acute lymphocytic leukemia - photomicrograph	Auer rods	Bone marrow aspiration	Bone marrow from hip
Immune system structures

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

The goal of treatment is remission of the cancer. A remission is achieved when the peripheral blood counts and the bone marrow are normal.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is treated with a combination of anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy). A hospitalization of 3 to 6 weeks may be necessary for initial (induction) chemotherapy, however, subsequent chemotherapy sessions may be given on an outpatient basis. Additionally, the patient may need to be isolated if the lymphocyte count is very low to prevent catching an infection.

Chemotherapy typically consists of a combination of 3 to 8 medications which may include: prednisone, vincristine, methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, and cyclophosphamide. It may also be necessary to administer blood products (e.g., packed red blood cells, platelets ) to treat the anemia and low platelet count. Antibiotic therapy may be required to treat any secondary infections that develop.

After remission is achieved, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be given in the spinal column to treat any leukemia cells that may have invaded the spinal fluid.

Subsequent therapy is meant to prevent relapse and consists of additional chemotherapy given intermittently, either in the hospital or as an outpatient. This treatment may last up to one year. A bone marrow transplant after high-dose chemotherapy may be a treatment option for cases that relapse or do not respond to other treatments.

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group and leukemia - support group.

The probable outcome for children is better than for adults, with an 80% cure rate. Eighty percent of adults achieve complete remission, with 30% to 50% being cured. Without treatment, the life expectancy is about 3 months.

• DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
• Relapse of ALL
• Severe infection

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of ALL develop.

Call your health care provider if persistent fever or other signs of infection occur in a person with ALL.

Review Date: 07/29/2005
Reviewed By: William Matsui, M.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.