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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and represents about one quarter of all cancers among persons younger than 15 years. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow (spongy tissue in the center of bone). In ALL, too many marrow stem cells develop into a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. These abnormal lymphocytes are not able to fight infection very well. Also, as the number of these lymphocytes increases, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may lead to infection, fatigue, and easy bleeding. The March 21, 2007, issue of JAMA includes an article about the number of secondary cancers increasing over 30 years after successful treatment for ALL. The results suggest that lifelong follow-up of ALL survivors is needed.

LEUKEMIA SYMPTOMS

• Fatigue
  
• Fever
  
• Easy bruising
  
• Bone pain
  

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JAMA. 2007;297(11):1207-1215.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT