Acute leukemia lymfoblastnыy – OLL

Description of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute leukemia lymfoblastnыy (OLL) – cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Lymphocytes – a type of white blood cells. When ALL the bone marrow produces too many immature lymphocytes, their number in the blood is progressing rapidly. ALL can occur at any age, but the most common disease in children. ALL also often occurs as the final stage of a chronic leukemia of adults, It called chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Children with ALL was one of the first cancers, for which it was developed an effective chemotherapy. Currently, ALL respond well to treatment.

Cancer occurs, when the body's cells develop properly and begin to divide uncontrollably. Leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells and their parent cells. In leukemia, blood cells do not function normally, and can not fight infections. It means, that the person is more likely to become infected with viruses or bacteria. Cancer cells also accumulate in the bone marrow and impede the development of other normal blood components, such as platelets. Platelets are needed for blood clotting. As a result, patients with leukemia may be impaired blood clotting.

Causes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Reason unknown OLL. Researches, to search for the causes, associated with the occurrence of ALL.

Risk factors for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Factors, which increase the likelihood of developing ALL:

• Paul: male;
• Race: white;
• Age: children and the elderly (adults over 70);
• Previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment;
• Exposure to atomic bomb radiation or nuclear reactor accident;
• Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as benzene (used in agriculture, as a component of dyes, and it is also used in the manufacture of paints);
• Some genetic disorders, such as Down's syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia, ataxia-teleangiэktazii, nejrofiʙromatoz, syndrome Shvahmana, дефицит IgA, X-chromosomal congenital agammaglobulinemia.

The following risk factors, typical of children with ALL:

• The presence of a brother or sister, leukemia patient;
• Race: white or Hispanic;
• Effect X-ray before birth;
• Radiation exposure;
• Previous chemotherapy or other treatment, which weakens the immune system;
• Some genetic disorders.

Symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia can be caused by other serious disease. If you experience any of the symptoms, consult a doctor:

• Weakness;
• Fatigue;
• Fever;
• Paleness (signs of anemia);
• Easy bruising or bleeding;
• Petechiae (flat spots under the skin, cause bruising);
• Breathlessness;
• Weight loss;
• Loss of appetite;
• Bone and joint pain;
• Stomach ache;
• Pain or a feeling of hardness below the ribs;
• Painless swelling of the neck, armpits, abdomen or groin;
• Swelling of the liver and / or spleen.

Diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. It can also check for swelling of the liver, spleen or lymph nodes. You may be directed to the oncologist – doctor, who specializes in treating cancer.

Tests may include the following:

• Blood tests, to find the change in the number or types of blood cells;
• Bone marrow aspiration – removal of a sample of liquid bone marrow to test for cancer cells;
• Bone marrow biopsy – removing the fluid sample of bone marrow and a small piece of bone to test for the presence of cancer cells;
• Spinnomozgovaya puncture – removal of a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid, to check for cancer cells;
• Microscopic examination of the blood sample, bone marrow fluid, lymph node tissue, or cerebrospinal fluid;
• Analyses of bones, Blood Bone Marrow, lymph node tissue, or cerebrospinal fluid, to determine the type of leukemia;
• Cytogenetic analysis – test to find certain changes in the chromosomes of lymphocytes; certain genetic abnormalities include:
  • The transfer of genetic material from one chromosome to another;
  • The presence of a particular gene;
  • The presence of the gene variant, which controls enzyme, affects the metabolism of folate;
• Immunophenotyping – study of protein on the cell surface and antibody, produced by the body; to distinguish lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia and determine the type of treatment required;
• Chest X-ray, which may detect signs of lung infection or enlarged lymph nodes in the chest;
• CT – type of X-ray, which uses computer, to make pictures of structures inside the body;
• MRT – examination, which uses magnetic waves, to make pictures of structures inside the body;
• Gallium scan and bone scan – injection of radioactive chemical in blood to identify areas of cancer or infections;
• Ultrasonography – test, which uses sound waves to study the organs inside the body.

Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The doctor will determine the best treatment for ALL. Treatment is carried out in two stages. First step – induktsionnaya therapy, to kill leukemia cells. Then apply a maintenance therapy, to kill any remaining leukemia cells. The remaining leukemia cells can cause recurrence. Treatment includes:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy – the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Treatment includes pills, injection, and administration of drugs through the catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, killing mostly cancer, and also some healthy cells.

Currently, clinical trials with various medications, naprimet drug imatinib (Glivec). This medication is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Glivec helps prevent changes in gene function, associated with ALL.

Some types of ALL may spread to the brain and spinal cord. In this case, it may be used intrathecal chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs injected directly into the spinal column.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy – Use of radiation, to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. If ALL is used External radiation therapy. The tumor is irradiated radiation source, located outside the body. This type of treatment is used for ALL types, have spread, or may spread to the brain and spinal cord.

Chemotherapy with stem cell transplant

Chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation (immature blood cells). They replace blood-forming cells, destroyed by the treatment of cancer. Stem cells are selected from blood or bone marrow of the patient or donor. They are then infused into the patient.

Biological Therapy

This treatment ALL still being tested in clinical. Treatment involves use of drugs or substances, which are used to increase or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer. This type of therapy is also called treatment with biological response modifiers. Sometimes they used very specific (Monoclonal) antibodies, designed to inhibit leukemic cells. Currently, therapy using monoclonal antibodies is limited to clinical trials and is not available in Russia.

The possible development of cancer after treatment ALL

Patients, held in a youth treatment for ALL, risk of developing cancer in the future. A recent study showed, they often, than other groups of people as a whole develops secondary rak.Tochny type of secondary cancer may vary. After treating ALL patients need a lifetime to watch for signs of the emergence of a secondary cancer.

Prevention of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Since the cause of ALL is unknown, there are no guidelines to prevent it.