Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature lymphoid cells (lymphoblasts) in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, leading to suppression of normal hematopoiesis. It primarily affects children but can also occur in adults, with a higher incidence in young individuals. The disease involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal lymphocytes that infiltrate the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and often spread to extramedullary sites such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and central nervous system. This results in clinical manifestations including fatigue, pallor, fever, bleeding or bruising, lymphadenopathy, and bone pain due to bone marrow replacement and impaired production of normal blood cells. Without prompt treatment, ALL progresses rapidly and can lead to life-threatening complications such as infection, hemorrhage, organ failure, and death. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a subtype involving malignant transformation of T-cell precursors, exhibiting similar aggressive features and systemic involvement.

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