acute leukemia

What is Acute Leukemia?

Acute leukemia is a group of highly aggressive hematologic malignancies characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature blood cells in the bone marrow [4]. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate initiation of therapy. In general, leukemia is thought to occur when some blood cells acquire changes (mutations) in their genetic material or DNA [3].

Types of Acute Leukemia

There are two main types of acute leukemia: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). ALL is a type of cancer that develops from immature lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell [2]. AML, on the other hand, is a cancer that affects cells that aren't fully developed in the bone marrow [8].

Characteristics of Acute Leukemia

Acute leukemia is characterized by its rapid progression and aggressive nature. It can impact both adult and pediatric populations, with ALL being the most common cancer in children [5]. The condition requires immediate medical attention, as it can be life-threatening if left untreated.

References:

• [1] Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.
• [2] "Lymphocytic" means it develops from early (immature) forms of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
• [3] In general, leukemia is thought to occur when some blood cells acquire changes (mutations) in their genetic material or DNA. A cell's DNA contains the ...
• [4] Acute leukemias are a group of highly aggressive hematologic malignancies characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature blood cells in the bone marrow.
• [5] Acute leukemia is life-threatening and requires immediate initiation of therapy. Acute leukemia is the most common cancer in children.
• [6] Nov 24, 2023 — What is acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)? ... Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a type of acute leukemia. It's also called ALL and acute lymphoblastic ...
• [7] Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) ... ALL is an aggressive form of leukemia that develops from immature lymphoid stem cells.
• [8] Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood that progresses rapidly without treatment. AML mostly affects cells that aren't fully ...
• [9] Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare cancer that affects your bone marrow and blood. It typically happens when certain genes or chromosomes mutate (change).
• [10] Result: noun | rapidly progressing leukemia

Common Signs and Symptoms of Acute Leukemia

Acute leukemia, also known as acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. The symptoms of acute leukemia can vary depending on the type and severity of the disease.

General Symptoms

• Easy bleeding or bruising: This is one of the most common symptoms of acute leukemia, as the disease can affect the production of platelets in the bone marrow [1].
• Enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen: These organs may become swollen due to the accumulation of abnormal white blood cells [2].
• Recurrent nosebleeds: Bleeding from the nose is a common symptom of acute leukemia, especially in children [5].

Specific Symptoms

• Tiredness (fatigue): As the disease progresses, patients may experience fatigue due to anemia or low red blood cell counts [2][3].
• Weakness: This can be caused by a lack of platelets or red blood cells [3].
• Feeling cold: Patients with acute leukemia may feel cold due to anemia or low red blood cell counts [2].
• Dizziness or lightheadedness: These symptoms can occur when the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the brain and other organs [2][3].

Other Symptoms

• Pale skin: This is a common symptom of anemia, which can be caused by acute leukemia [4].
• Rashes or tiny red spots (petechiae): These symptoms can occur due to bleeding under the skin [4].
• Loss of appetite: Patients with acute leukemia may experience a decrease in appetite due to the disease's progression [8].

Important Note

It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. The symptoms mentioned above can also be caused by other conditions, so it is crucial to seek medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.

References:

[1] Context result 4 [2] Context result 3 [3] Context result 7 [4] Context result 8 [5] Context result 5 [6] Context result 6

Diagnostic Tests for Acute Leukemia

Acute leukemia, including acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), can be diagnosed through various tests and procedures. Here are some of the common diagnostic tests used to diagnose acute leukemia:

• Blood tests: Blood tests may reveal too many or too few white blood cells, which can indicate a problem with the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy blood cells [1].
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential: This test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood [4].
• Blood chemistry and peripheral blood smear: These tests can help diagnose AML and learn more about it [2].
• Bone marrow tests: Bone marrow tests are used to diagnose AML and the AML subtype. A change in the number and appearance of blood cells helps to make the diagnosis [8].
• Chromosome tests: Chromosome tests may be performed to identify any genetic abnormalities that could be contributing to the development of acute leukemia [3].
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): This test involves removing a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the spine to check for cancer cells in the central nervous system.
• Lymph node biopsy: A lymph node biopsy may be performed if there is suspicion of lymphoma or other cancers affecting the lymph nodes.

These diagnostic tests can help healthcare providers determine the presence and type of acute leukemia, which is essential for developing an effective treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Acute Leukemia

Acute leukemia, including both acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), requires prompt and effective treatment to manage the disease. The primary goal of drug treatment is to induce remission, which means eliminating cancer cells from the body.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a common treatment approach for both ALL and AML. It involves using medications to kill cancer cells. For children and adults with ALL, chemotherapy is typically used as an induction therapy to reduce the number of lymphoblasts in the bone marrow. The most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents include:

• Methotrexate
• Cytarabine
• Prednisone (a steroid)

For AML, chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as targeted therapy drugs.

Targeted Therapy Drugs

Targeted therapies are medications that specifically target cancer cells. For AML, these include:

• FLT3 inhibitors
• IDH inhibitors
• Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg)
• BCL-2 inhibitor

These medications can help reduce the number of cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes.

Induction Therapy

Induction therapy is a type of chemotherapy used to treat AML. It typically involves using a combination of chemotherapeutic agents, such as cytarabine and an anthracycline drug (e.g., daunorubicin or idarubicin).

Maintenance Therapy

After induction therapy, maintenance therapy may be necessary to prevent the cancer from returning. This can involve ongoing chemotherapy or targeted therapy.

References:

• Chemotherapy is typically used as an induction therapy for children and adults with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) [2].
• The most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for ALL include methotrexate, cytarabine, and prednisone [3].
• Targeted therapies, such as FLT3 inhibitors and IDH inhibitors, are used to treat AML [4].
• Induction therapy for AML typically involves a combination of chemotherapeutic agents, including cytarabine and an anthracycline drug [9].

Note: The numbers in square brackets refer to the corresponding search results provided in the context.

The differential diagnosis of acute leukemia involves identifying other conditions that may present similarly to acute leukemia. Based on the search results, here are some conditions that should be considered in the evaluation of acute leukemia:

• Acute myelocytic leukaemia (AML): This is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood cells [1].
• Acute anaemia: A condition characterized by a rapid decrease in red blood cell count, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath [5].
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA): A type of arthritis that affects children and adolescents, but can also present with symptoms similar to acute leukemia, such as fever and joint pain [5].
• Leukocytosis: A condition characterized by an abnormally high white blood cell count, which can be a sign of infection or inflammation [5].
• Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection: This viral infection can cause symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, which can be similar to those experienced in acute leukemia [5].

Additionally, the differential diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes other hematologic malignancies, specifically:

• Acute promyelocytic leukemia: A type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood cells, characterized by an abnormal accumulation of immature white blood cells [6].
• Myelodysplastic syndromes: A group of disorders characterized by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells in the bone marrow [7].
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): A type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood cells, characterized by an abnormal accumulation of immature white blood cells [7].

It's worth noting that diagnosing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and your AML subtype usually involves a series of blood and bone marrow tests [9].