Cause of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

The exact cause of acute lymphocytic leukemia has yet to be determined. However, research has shown that the cause of acute lymphocytic leukemia is often linked to leukemia risk factors, such as exposure to radiation, being Caucasian, or having certain genetic disorders.

 

Cause of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: An Overview

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) accounts for about 3,800 new cases of leukemia each year. In most cases, acute lymphocytic leukemia occurs in children (see Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). However, acute lymphocytic leukemia can also occur in adults (see Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). Acute lymphocytic leukemia is also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
 

What Is the Cause of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia?

No one knows the exact cause of acute lymphocytic leukemia, and doctors can seldom explain why one person will get ALL and another person will not. However, leukemia research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop acute lymphocytic leukemia.
 

Cause of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Know the Risk Factors

A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.
 
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk factors include:
 
  • Having a brother or sister with leukemia
  • Being Caucasian or Hispanic
  • Living in the United States
  • Being exposed to x-rays before birth
  • Being exposed to radiation
  • Past treatment with chemotherapy or other drugs that weaken the immune system
  • Having certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome.
 
Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk factors include:
 
  • Being male
  • Being Caucasian
  • Being older than 70 years of age
  • Past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy
  • Exposure to atomic bomb radiation
  • Having a certain genetic disorder, such as Down syndrome.
 
(Cause of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD