Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia - Complications

(Page 2)

Long-Term Physical Effects of Treatments

The intense treatments required by ALL can have serious short- and long-term side effects. Some long-term complications of particular concern are discussed here as well as in the section on treatments.

Fatigue and General Feelings of Ill Health. Long-term effects of the disease and its treatments may include fatigue and general aches and pains, which can have a negative impact on daily life.

Osteoporosis. Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) is a side effect of corticosteroids. Patients or their parents should discuss approaches to reduce this risk. Many therapies for protecting bone are available.

Heart Disease. Some of the treatments increase risk factors for future heart disease, including unhealthy cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Patients with ALL should be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle and be regularly monitored for heart risks to help reduce these effects.

Click the icon to see an image of cholesterol.

Stroke. Survivors of childhood leukemia are at increased risk of later stroke, especially if they received treatment with cranial radiation.

Obesity. Children treated for ALL are at higher risk for obesity, possibly because the treatments trigger an earlier than normal occurrence in childhood weight gain. Corticosteroid drugs used in treatments also increase appetite, which contributes to the problem. One study indicated, however, that lifestyle factors, such as adopting a pattern of reduced physical activity during treatment, plays the major role in this complication.

Impaired Mental and Neurologic Functioning. Cranial radiation and drugs used in chemotherapy, especially specific corticosteroids and spinal injection treatments may impair mental functioning and cause neurologic problems, such as movement problems. Advances in cranial radiation may reduce the neurologic and mental risks from this treatment, but it can occur with many other treatments as well.