Stages of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Cont.)

Stages of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Classifications

There is no standard staging system for adult ALL. Instead, the disease is classified as untreated, in remission, or recurrent.
 
Untreated Adult ALL
In this phase of leukemia:
 
  • The complete blood count is abnormal
  • More than 5 percent of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells)
  • There are signs and symptoms of leukemia
  • The ALL is newly diagnosed and has not been treated, except to relieve symptoms such as fever, bleeding, or pain.
 
Adult ALL in Remission
In this phase of leukemia:
 
  • The ALL has been treated
  • The complete blood count is normal
  • Less than 5 percent of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells)
  • There are no signs or symptoms of leukemia in the brain, spinal cord, or elsewhere in the body.
 
Recurrent Adult ALL
Recurrent adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia is cancer that has recurred (come back) after going into remission. The ALL may come back in the blood, bone marrow, or other parts of the body.
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD