Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) Treatment in Indore

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) -Detailed Description.

ALL is a form of blood cancer that originates in the bone marrow, which is the soft tissue found inside the bones where blood cells are formed. ALL is an illness whereby the bone marrow grows abnormal and immature white blood cells known as lymphoblasts or leukemic blasts. These cells reproduce fast and displace the normal blood cells, causing severe health conditions.

How ALL Develops

ALL is predominantly a disease of the lymphoid stem cells, which form:

B lymphocytes (B-cells)

T lymphocytes (T-cells)

The cells are crucial in the immune system of the body. In ALL, the immature lymphocytes multiply uncontrollably, cannot perform their functions and are deposited in the bone marrow, blood, and occasionally even in the organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

Who Can Get ALL?

ALL is prevalent in children, particularly between the ages of 2-10.

It is also possible to develop in adults, and adult ALL is more aggressive.

Causes & Risk Factors

Its cause is not known, but it could be increased by factors including:

Genetic disorders (e.g. Down syndrome)

Past chemotherapy therapy or radiation therapy.

Certain viral infections

Family history of leukaemia

High levels of radiation.

But in most instances, ALL always takes place in the absence of a definite risk factor.

Common Symptoms

Due to the reduction in the production of healthy blood cells, the symptoms can be:

The chronic fever or constant infections.

Fatigue and weakness

Pale skin (anaemia)

Easy bruising or bleeding

Bone or joint pain

Swollen lymph nodes

Aborigines swell the abdomen (enlarged liver/spleen)

Shortness of breath

Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

The doctors work on several tests to prove ALL, including:

Complete blood count (CBC)

Bone marrow biopsy

Flow cytometry to determine the type of blast (B-cell or T-cell)?

Chromosome abnormality cytogenetic testing (e.g. Philadelphia chromosome)

Lumbar puncture to determine whether leukaemia has spread to the brain /spinal fluid.

Types of ALL

B-cell ALL – most common

T-cell ALL- more prevalent in adolescents and young adults.

Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+ ALL) - consists of certain genetic alterations that could require specific treatment.

Treatment Overview

ALL is a life-threatening illness, which normally requires:

1. Induction Therapy (Phase 1)

Goal: annihilate leukaemia cells in blood and bone marrow to achieve remission.

2. Phase 2 entails consolidation therapy.

Goal: destroy all the leukaemia cells and avoid recurrence.

3. Maintenance Therapy (Phase 3)

Purpose Aim: avoidance of return of leukaemia; lasts 1-2 years.

Treatment Options

Chemotherapy- primary treatment.

Targeted therapy (e.g. imatinib for Ph+ ALL)

Immunotherapy (e.g., CAR T-cell therapy)

Steroid treatment

Radiation treatment (occasionally)

High-risk cases of stem cell transplantation.

Prognosis

The prognosis of children is very favourable, and the survival rates are high.

In adults, the results are more fluctuating, as they are determined by age, genetic peculiarities of leukaemia and reaction to treatment.

Life After Treatment

Patients need:

Regular follow-ups

Monitoring for relapse

Long-term side effects (such as fatigue, growth problems (in children), inadequate immunity) are supported.