Living with Acute lymphoid leukemia
A cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, in children or adults.
Understanding Acute lymphoid leukemia
It may develop in children or adults. ALL spreads to the blood and may then spread to other areas, such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system, and testicles. It can start at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary says they may include:
- Fever
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Feeling tired
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in the bones or abdomen
- Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists and cancer specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Cancer Society and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says ALL is typically caused by random, non-inherited changes in the DNA of immature lymphocytes (lymphoblasts). Some people inherit a genetic susceptibility, and past cancer treatment or certain genetic conditions may raise the risk.
Also known as: acute lymphatic leukaemia; acute lymphatic leukemia; acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (all); acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (disease); acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Patient organizations
- American Cancer SocietyAcute lymphoid leukemia · United States
- Blood Cancer UnitedAcute lymphoid leukemia · United States
- HealthTree FoundationAcute lymphoid leukemia · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Acute lymphoid leukemia.
Explore research for Acute lymphoid leukemia
Explore actively recruiting Acute lymphoid leukemia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Acute lymphoid leukemia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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