Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurs because too many stem cells become lymphoblasts that do not mature into lymphocytes. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common type of cancer in childhood, which accounts for 25-30% of childhood cancers. 

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is primarily classified as B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by the type of cells in which cancer developed. Then, acute lymphoblastic leukemia is classified according to the genetic mutations. (for example, B-lymphoblastic leukemia with BCR::ABL1 fusion, B-lymphoblastic leukemia with ETV::RUNX1 fusion, etc.)

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia may present with a wide range of signs and symptoms, ranging from fever, dizziness, anorexia, easy bruisability, bleeding, weight loss, and other symptoms.

The cause of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia is unknown in most of cases, but following factors are known to increase the risk of leukemia; ionizing radiation, several genetic syndromes (Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia, ataxia telangiectasei, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, etc.).

There is no known method to prevent acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. However, the patient needs to get regular screening for leukemia if they have cancer predisposition syndrome.