Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Predisposing factors: Age Gender Race Family History Uncontrolled growth of leukocyte precursors in bone marrow Unknown Etiology Exposure to radiation and chemicals Sibling with Leukemia Precipitating factors:

Reversal of RBC and WBC ratio and crowding out RBC and platelets Abnormal immature WBC in circulation

Respiratory Compression

Infiltration of liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and all tissue in the body with WBC, Organ Involvement

Compression of Nerves

Hepatomegaly

Splenomegaly

Renal Failure

Anemia Fatigue

Little or no urine output RR

Pallor Flank Pain Weight loss (reduced RBC) Infection with fever Bleeding tendency Edema Uremia Azotemia

DEATH

Multiple Organ Failure

Acute Lymphocytic Anemia Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the body's white blood cells (WBCs). Normally, WBCs help fight infection and protect the body against disease. But in leukemia, WBCs turn cancerous and multiply when they shouldn't, resulting in too many abnormal WBCs, which then interfere with organ function. If too many lymphoblasts (a certain type of WBC) are produced, a child will develop acute lymphoblastic, or lymphoid, leukemia (ALL). This is the most common type of leukemia, affecting nearly 60% of kids with this cancer of the blood cells. Kids ages 2 to 8 are more likely to be affected, but all age groups can develop ALL. The patients bone marrow makes white blood cells that do not fight infection, as they are supposed to. These abnormal cells are called blasts and they reproduce very quickly. When the blasts crowd out the healthy cells in the bone marrow, your child begins to experience symptoms, such as a fever, bone pain and anemia. Causes The cause of ALL is not known. However, certain risk factors might increase a child's chance of developing it. Risk Factors AGE ALL in Children. ALL is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in children. ALL accounts for about 75% of cases of childhood leukemia. Each year, about 3,600 American children and adolescents are diagnosed with ALL. ALL can strike children of all ages, but is most likely to occur when children are 2 - 4 years of age. It is slightly more common in boys than in girls. RACE AND ETHNICITY Caucasian and Hispanic children have a higher risk for ALL than African-American children. HEREDITARY DISORDERS ALL does not appear to run in families. But certain inherited genetic disorders may increase risk. For example, children with Down syndrome have a 20-times greater risk of developing ALL than the general population. RADIATION AND CHEMICAL EXPOSURE Previous cancer treatment with high doses of radiation or chemotherapy can increase the risk for developing ALL. Prenatal exposure to x-rays may also increase risk in children. Lower levels of radiation (living near power lines, video screen emissions, small appliances, cell phones) are unlikely to pose any cancer risk.