Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

The most common effects of ALL are an uncontrollable growth and accumulation of cells known as "lymphoblasts" and the prevention of normal cells from being produced, which causes a deficiency of red and white cells from entering the bloodstream. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is physically, emotionally, and financially straining on those who are affected by it.

This form of cancer is most common in children and young adults reportedly peaking in children between the ages of four and five. Recent research has chown another peak in the disease in the elderly. Continued research is being done in an attempt to understand the disease.

There are some symptoms to look for such as:

*Weakness
*Bone or abdominal pain
*Frequent infections
*Fever

There are instances where people with ALL have not experienced any symptoms; so it is important to be diagnosed if you think you may have ALL.

The symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia are very general, so diagnosing the illness starts with a thorough medical history and a physical examination of the patient. Doctors have used the following test such as blood work, cytogenetics, and bone marrow biopsy.