Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is an acute form of leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells, characterized by the overproduction and accumulation of cancerous, immature white blood cells, known as lymphoblasts. In persons with ALL, lymphoblasts are overproduced in the bone marrow and continuously multiply, causing damage and death by inhibiting the production of normal cells (such as red and white blood cells and platelets) in the bone marrow and by spreading (infiltrating) to other organs. ALL is most common in childhood, with a peak incidence at 2–5 years of age and another peak in old age.
About 6,000 cases are reported in the United States every year. Internationally, ALL is more common in Caucasians than in Africa; it is more common in Hispanics and in Latin America. Cure is a realistic goal and is achieved in more than 80% of affected children, although only 20-40% of adults are cured. “Acute” refers to the relatively short time course of the disease, distinguishing it from chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which has a potential time course of many years.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) invites patients and caregivers to learn more about:
• CAR T-cell therapy as an emerging treatment option
• The impact of clinical trials in the advancement of treatment for blood cancer patients
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For disease, treatment and support information, please call an LLS Information Specialist at (800) 955-4572 or email [email protected]. For LLS patient education programs, please visit http://www.LLS.org/programs. For professional education programs, visit http://www.LLS.org/professionaled.
We hope you find this program informative and helpful.
Support for this video provided by Juno Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, and Novartis Oncology.