What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?

Quick facts about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a form of acute leukaemia which develops when the bone marrow produces immature blood cells that do not mature and progress rapidly
The immature lymphoid cells are called lymphoblasts. These cells normally develop into lymphocytes, such as B-cells and T-cells, which fight infection
ALL primarily affects children under the age of 15 and is most common in children under four years of age
There are around 760 new ALL cases in the UK every year

Types of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

There are different subtypes of ALL, which are defined based on the type of lymphocyte affected; either B-cell ALL or T-cell ALL. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) classification system is used to classify ALL into subtypes. The three different types of ALL are:

Pre-B cell ALL
This type of ALL is defined when early stage development of leukaemia is found in the bone marrow. Pre-B cell ALL is most common in adults.
B-cell ALL
If leukaemia is classified as B-cell ALL, this means the disease has been found in developed or more mature lymphoid cells. This is most common in young adults.
T-cell ALL
T-cell ALL is classified based on the presence of leukaemia in developing T-cells and is a less common diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

As signs and symptoms for ALL can be similar to other common conditions, it’s important to see your GP or healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms below. Discussing anything concerning with your doctor as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive an ALL diagnosis.

Symptoms may include:

Tiredness

Night sweats

Aches and pain in the bones due to cancerous cells in the bone marrow

Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite

Pain in the chest, coughing and/or trouble breathing

Swollen, painless lymph nodes under the arms, neck or groin

Enlarged stomach due to swollen lymph nodes or spleen

Anaemia due to lack of red blood cells

Increased bleeding and bruising

Stages of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

The traditional cancer staging system is not used to stage ALL. Instead, the subtypes of ALL help doctors understand what your cancer looks like based on laboratory testing (including genetic testing) and the classification systems.

Treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

There are many different types of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is not usually hereditary although common inherited conditions that have been linked to ALL include Fanconi anaemia, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Bloom syndrome, neurofibromatosis and Down syndrome.
The cause of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is not fully known, however there are some factors which contribute to the risk of ALL developing, including:
- Age – The risk for ALL is higher in Australians aged under 15 years of age or over 50 years
- Certain lifestyle-related factors – Such as smoking or chewing tobacco, exposure to chemicals such as benzene or large levels of radiation and previous cancer treatments with chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy
- Genetic disorders and family history – Inherited conditions such as Down syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Fanconi anaemia can increase the risk for ALL
Leukaemia is less common than other cancer types with ALL is the most common form of acute leukaemia in young adults, primarily affecting children under the age of 15. Each year approximately 760 people in the UK are diagnosed with ALL, with more males than females diagnosed.
There are many different tests that are used to diagnose acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, alongside a physical examination. This may include blood tests to check your full blood count to determine if leukaemia cells are present and a bone marrow biopsy or aspiration to check for leukaemia cells within your bone marrow. Additional scans may include CT, ultrasound or MRI scans to detect if the cancer has spread elsewhere. A lumbar puncture, which involves taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from your lower spine, is usually performed following an ALL diagnosis to confirm if leukaemia cells are present in the fluid surrounding your spine.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are two forms of acute leukaemia which develop from different types of white blood cells. ALL develops from lymphocytes such as B-cells and T-cells while AML develops from myeloid cells.
There are a number of lifestyle-related factors you can consider to reduce your risk of developing Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, like:
- Quitting smoking – Cigarette smoking carries a significantly higher risk of developing ALL
- Getting regular exercise – At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day
- Avoiding exposure to chemicals – Such as benzene or large levels of radiation
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet – Eat a fibre-rich diet from grain and legume sources, as well as enjoy a variety of fruit (2 serves) and vegetables (5 serves) per day, limit your intake of salt and saturated fats, and avoid all processed meat.