A derived genetic condition, acute lymphocytic leukemia or ALL from the overproduction and multiplication of destructive white blood cells in the bone marrow. Acute lymphocytic leukemia develops when these cells multiply, ultimately leading to the decline of the body's good health. It may even result in death, or spread to the other parts of the body.

Most prevalent in young adults and children, this specific cancer type's effects differ depending on the time when it was diagnosed, and the patient's age. The age when acute lymphocytic leukemia reaches its climax is between four to six years old. Experts just recently came upon the discovery that another peak exists in elderly patients. Extensive research regarding this condition is incessantly being undertaken by experts.

The Impact of ALL

There is short term and long term effects living with ALL and it will be emotionally, physically and financially straining them. While living with ALL, your abnormal blood cells crowd around other cells in the bone marrow. This prevents your body from producing red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets causing many problems in their future such as anemia, and more infection.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia may include the following symptoms:

*Painful joints

*Shortness of breath

*Persistent infections

*Easy bleeding and slow healing of wounds

Diagnosing Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

There are many tests that doctors use to diagnose ALL and the tests they use will depend on other factors such as your age, the severity of the symptoms. The tests given are blood work, a bone marrow biopsy, cytogenetics, imaging tests and more.

In approximately 90% of the cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia, a blood smear shows the presence of blast cells. One other recognized way of effectively proving the absence or presence of acute lymphocytic leukemia is through the use of a bone marrow biopsy.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Treatment

Children with ALL are presented with a number of treatment options. Chemotherapy is the main treatment that is availabl, utilizing specific drugs for the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia and its variations.

Treatment varies with the specifics of the patient. A variety of drugs are used to treat children with this illness and are administered over a period of two to three years. This extended treatment time requires high level of skill and expertise from the doctors dealing with these cases.

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