Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia In Nagpur
Treatments / Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) In Nagpur
What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in nagpur is a form of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, where blood cells are produced within the spongy tissue of bones.
The term “acute” denotes the rapid progression of the disease, leading to the production of immature blood cells instead of mature ones. Meanwhile, “lymphocytic” refers to the specific type of white blood cells, known as lymphocytes, that are impacted by ALL. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is also referred to as acute lymphoblastic leukemia. While ALL is the most prevalent type of cancer in children, with favorable treatment outcomes often resulting in a cure, it can also manifest in adults, albeit with a significantly reduced likelihood of achieving a cure.
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia may encompass:
- Gum bleeding
- Bone discomfort
- Fever
- Recurrent infections
- Nosebleeds that are frequent or severe
- Enlarged lymph nodes resulting in lumps in the neck, armpits, abdomen, or groin
- Skin pallor
- Breathing difficulties
- Weakness, fatigue, or a notable decrease in vitality
What are the types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
There are two primary types of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), categorized based on the type of blood cells impacted:
B-cell ALL: This variant affects B-cells, responsible for producing antibodies and aiding in infection defense. B-cell ALL constitutes 75% to 80% of all ALL cases.
T-cell ALL: This form affects T-cells, which play a role in germ elimination and bolstering other immune system components.
How is acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms, review your medical history, and conduct a physical examination. If acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is suspected, they may perform the following diagnostic tests, including evaluations for genetic alterations:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Lymph node biopsy
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Flow cytometry to determine ALL subtype
- Cytogenetic tests to analyze cell chromosomes
- Molecular assays to detect specific genes, proteins, or other molecules indicative of ALL.
How is ALL treated?
Healthcare professionals employ various treatments for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), including:
Chemotherapy:
- Initial treatment for ALL typically involves chemotherapy administered in several phases over months or even years. The aim is complete remission, where symptoms vanish, and tests show no cancerous signs.
- Remission induction therapy aims to eliminate as many leukemia cells as possible, usually requiring hospitalization for four to six weeks.
- Central nervous system-directed therapy prevents leukemia spread to the spinal fluid.
- Consolidation therapy follows remission induction, using high-dose chemotherapy over several months to eradicate remaining cancer cells.
- Continuation or maintenance therapy, lasting up to three years, is administered outside the hospital to prevent relapse.
Targeted Therapy:
- Targeted therapy focuses on specific genetic mutations, like the Philadelphia chromosome (t(9;22)), treated with tyrosine kinase (TKI) therapy to inhibit cancer cell growth.
Immunotherapy:
- Immunotherapy, such as CAR-T cell therapy or monoclonal antibody therapy, harnesses the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy:
- Used for recurrent or unresponsive ALL, or when the disease has metastasized to the brain or spinal fluid.
Stem Cell Transplantation:
- In cases where other treatments fail, allogeneic stem cell transplantation may be considered for adult ALL patients.