Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also known as acute lymphocytic leukemia or ALL, is a type of cancer that is really a group of related diseases. The specific subtype of leukemia that a patient has determines the types of treatment given, and the prognosis outlook. Use this Web guide to learn more about ALL, including diagnosis and treatment options, and where to find support.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that starts when too many white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. It affects a person’s blood and can spread to the lymph nodes, spleen and other organs. ALL is expected to account for about 5,400 of the 44,000 new cases of leukemia that will be diagnosed in 2008; a majority of ALL cases occur in children. Learn more about ALL, and its signs and symptoms, with the helpful Web sites below.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is often known as ALL online.
- If you conduct Web research on ALL beyond this guide, be aware that many sites profess to provide credible medical information but are sponsored by law firms interested only in finding clients. The Web sites listed in this guide are all sponsored by respected health care organizations or are sites created by patients based on their own experiences.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview …
New York Presbyterian Hospital
provides a brief overview of ALL, touching on who is most affected, the disease’s symptoms and treatment.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
, a world-renowned research facility that pioneered bone marrow transplantation, describes acute lymphoblastic leukemia, details who is at risk and shares some of the Center’s ALL research initiatives.
For signs and symptoms …
MedlinePlus
, part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, lists common symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia. Most of the symptoms are hyperlinked so you can learn more.
For ALL symptoms in children …
Cleveland Clinic
has a comprehensive overview of childhood ALL, including a list of symptoms, which can differ somewhat from adults.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Diagnosis and Treatment
ALL, depending on how it has progressed, can be treated in a number of ways. In adults, a two-stage treatment is applied: first kill the leukemia cells, and then kill any remaining leukemia cells to keep the cancer in remission. For children, a third stage of treatment is recommended: maintenance therapy consists of lower-dose medications after the first two stages to keep the cancer at bay. Learn more about conventional and experimental treatments using the sites below.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Although cancer in children is rare, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is the most commonly diagnosed type of leukemia in children. According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the prognosis, on average, is very good.
- For more insight on the prognosis of ALL treatment in children, read an essay written by the mother of a child with ALL on the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center Web site.
Dulcinea's Picks
For diagnosis …
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
briefly describes how doctors diagnose acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
The American Cancer Society
has a more in-depth discussion of what symptoms may lead doctors to suspect someone has ALL, and then describes the different types of tests used to diagnose it.
A.D.A.M.’s Health Illustrated Encyclopedia
explains what happens during a bone marrow aspiration and a bone marrow biopsy, two of the methods commonly used to diagnose ALL.
For treating children with ALL …
The National Cancer Institute
explains how ALL is treated in children. Use the links near the top of the page to skip to topics of interest, or scroll through the detailed article.
For treating adults with ALL …
The National Cancer Institute
has a page that explains how ALL is generally treated in adults. The article is very thorough and uses links near the top of the page to highlight treatment options and phases.
For clinical trials …
ClinicalTrials.gov
is a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health that lists clinical trials currently underway to research ALL. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your doctor and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guide.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Support
The Web is a great place to connect with others who have been touched by ALL. Sharing stories and offering advice can be a comfort during difficult times. Use the blogs, message boards and forums in this section to interact with other ALL patients, survivors and their families.
Dulcinea's Insight
- There aren’t many forums specifically for acute lymphocytic leukemia, but those in this section have sections devoted to leukemia. To find more support sites, see the “Support Groups for Leukemia Patients” section of the findingDulcinea Leukemia Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For face-to-face support groups …
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
provides a PDF guide for ALL patients and families, and lists contact information for local Society chapters by state (scroll down to find the list). For family support groups near you, the site asks you to contact your local Society chapter. To find support groups in Canada, visit the Society’s Canadian site.
For forums ...
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
has a general forum on leukemia and lymphoma issues, and a more specific “Living with ALL” forum where people can discuss various issues (scroll down to find it). You must register to post a thread or response, but it’s free.
For patients’ stories …
Cancer Survivors Network
of the American Cancer Society allows you to surf other people’s personal Web pages, or create your own. Register for free to view the pages.
For blogs …
Chris Boring’s Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Blog
offers advice for coping with ALL. Though the blog isn’t regularly updated, the author does talk about the side effects he experienced and offers encouragement.
Brave Fighters
has links to dozens of ALL patient and survivor Web pages. Many of the blogs are about young children, written by their parents.
For social networking …
Facebook
has a page called “Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia” where parents can post their stories and talk. You must be registered with Facebook to view or post to the page, but it’s free.
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