Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, too many stem cells develop into a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. This may cause infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to detect and diagnose adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Current adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy with stem cell transplant.

Adult ALL

Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Introduction

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (also called acute lymphocytic leukemia) is a cancer that usually progresses quickly if it is not treated.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia accounts for about 3,800 new cases of leukemia each year. Although ALL is the most common type of leukemia in young children, it also affects adults.

(Click Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia for more information on childhood ALL.)

Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Blood Cells

Normally, the body produces bone marrow stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells.

The three types of mature blood cells include:

Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body
White blood cells that fight infection and disease
Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.

In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, too many stem cells develop into a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. These lymphocytes may also be called lymphoblasts or leukemia cells.

There are three types of lymphocytes:

B lymphocytes that make antibodies to help fight infection
T lymphocytes that help B lymphocytes make the antibodies that help fight infection
Natural killer cells that attack cancer cells and viruses.

In acute lymphoblastic leukemia:

The lymphocytes are not able to fight infection very well
The number of lymphocytes increases in the blood and bone marrow
There is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

This may cause infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia can also spread to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

(Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Continued: Page 2)