Acute leukaemia is a type of leukemia in which excessive numbers of immature white blood cells called blasts are produced in the bone marrow. If left untreated, acute leukaemia can cause death within a few weeks or months.

ACUTE LEUKAEMIA TYPES

The abnormal cells may be of two main types: lymphoblasts (immature lymphocytes) in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, or ALL, and myeloblastic leukaemia, or AML.

ACUTE LEUKAEMIA CAUSES

In most cases, the cause of acute leukaemia in unknown. However, exposure to certain chemicals (such as benzene) or high levels of radiation may be a risk factor. Previous treatment for cancer may also increase the risk of leukaemia developing. Inherited factors are thought to play a part; there is increased incidence in individuals who have certain genetic disorders (such as Fanconi’s anaemia) and chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down’s syndrome). In addition, people who have blood disorders such as aplastic anaemia or primary polycythaemia are at increased risk because their bone marrow is already abnormal.

ACUTE LEUKAEMIA SIMPTOMS AND SIGNS

The symptoms and signs of acute leukaemia are due to the abnormal white cells crowding the bone marrow and infiltrating the bloodstream and body tissues. The includes bleeding gums, headache, easy bruising, bone pain, enlarged lymph nodes, and symptoms of anaemia, such as tiredness, pallor, and breathlessness on exertion. There may also be repeated chest or throat infections.

ACUTE LEUKAEMIA DIAGNOSIS

Blood tests (and, in some cases, tests on the cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord) may reveal the presence of abnormal white cells, but diagnosis is confirmed by a bone marrow biopsy.

ACUTE LEUKAEMIA TREATMENT

Treatment is divided into two phases: remission induction to control the disease, and consolidation to prevent recurrence. Procedures include transfusions of blood and platelets; the use of anticancer drugs to kill abnormal cells in the bone marrow; and possibly radiotherapy to destroy any abnormal cells in the brain. A bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant may also be required.

ACUTE LEUKAEMIA OUTLOOK

Chemotherapy had increased success rates, but the outlook depends on the type of leukaemia and the age of the patient. People with ALL generally respond better to treatment than those with AML, and many children with ALL can now make a full recovery. Treatment of AML is less likely to be successful in people over the age of 50.

Source: A-Z family medical encyclopedia by BMA

Popularity: 2% [?]