Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

• Defined by the Tabers Cyclopedic Medical
  Dictionary as, a hematological malignancy marked
  by the unchecked multiplication of immature
  lymphoid cells in the bone marrow, blood, and
  body tissues.

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History

• In 1879 the first Epidemiology studies were
  performed in London by W.R. Gowers.
• In the studies Gowers comprised age and sex data.
  At this time the disease was only seen as chronic.

• In the late 1890s George Dock was the first to
  discover Acute cases of Leukemia.
• In his studies Leukemia was said to resemble a
  microscopic germ infection.(Cambridge
  World,p845, 1993.

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Symptoms

• Fatigue, lethargy, bleeding, bone and joint pain,
  and a predisposition to fever and infection are
  characteristics of all Leukemias. (Tabers
  CyclopedicDavis, p1219, 1997)

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Causes of Leukemia

• Several epidemiologic studies have described
  increased risks of childhood leukemia connected
  with parents exposure to occupational chemicals,
  which include solvents and paints.(American
  Journal of Public Health,p564,2001)
• Chidren, whose parents were exposed to organic
  substances, have shown an increased risk of
  Leukemia.

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• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is suggested by the
  presence of abnormalities on the complete blood
  count or the peripheral blood smear. It is
  confirmed by immunophenotyping.
• Leukemia affects the lymphocytes, or white blood
  cells, by replacing normal blood cells and
  spreading to other organs. Because this disease
  effects the central nervous system, patients are
  more susceptible to infection and the
  deterioration of other vital organs.

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Prevalence

• Leukemia is diagnosed in 3000 to 4000 persons in
  the U.S. each year.
• Two thirds of them are children between the ages
  of three to five, or before 15.

• More men tend to have this disease over women.
• More whites tend to be effected than blacks.

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Treatment

• Methotrexate was discovered in 1948.
• The first medication, with significant
  capabilities of prolonging a patients life
• It is still prescribed today.

• Chemotherapy often begins after bone marrow
  recovery. As well as radiation
• Multidrug regimens are administered as well.
• In high-risk cases hematopoietic stem cell
  transplantation is used.

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• Approximately 90 of children achieve remission
  and nearly 80 are cured.
• One third of adults are cured.

• The side effects from the radiation treatment
  include cardiomyopathy, encephalopathy,
  osteoporosis, short stature, and
  obesity.(Greenebaum, p604, 1998).

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Citations

• Freedman,Michael. Household Solvent Exposures
  and Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic
  Leukemia.American Journal of Public Health
  91(2001)564-67.
• Kiple, Kenneth. Cambridge World History of Human
  Disease Cambridge University.(1993) 845.
• Pui, Ching-Hon., and William Evans. Acute
  Lymphoblastic Leukemia. New England Journal of
  Medicine 339(1998)605-12.
• Venes, Donald,ed. Tabers Cyclopedic Medical
  Dictionary 19th ed.1997.