Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Explained: Diagnosis, Treatment & Support

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) explained in detail—learn about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and support available for patients and families worldwide.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Explained: Diagnosis, Treatment & Support

  • Category

    Cancer

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    26-Aug-2025

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

ALL is a form of blood and bone marrow cancer that is a result of lymphoblasts or white blood cells (lymphocytes). It advances fast and one should take immediate action against it.

What It Is?

  • The disease happens when the bone marrow and blood make too many lymphoblasts which are immature white blood cells.
  • The aberrant cells take the place of healthy blood cells causing anemia, infections, and bleeding.

Who It Is Affecting?

  • This is the most common childhood cancer (particularly ages 2-5).
  • Can also acquire it in adults, and prognosis is typically better in children.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment in India

All therapy is typically set over an extended period (2-3 years under childhoods, 2+ years with adults) and administered in phases:

Phase of induction Therapy (first 4-6 weeks)

  • Objective: To destroy the majority of leukemia cells, and restore blood counts to normal.
  • Drugs: Combination chemotherapy (e.g. Vincristine, corticosteroids such as dexamethasone/ prednisone, anthracyclines, sometimes asparaginase).
  • Approximately 98 percent of children and 80 and 90 percent of adults experience remission once it is induced.

Consolidation/ Intensification Therapy (several months)

  • The aim: Eliminate the hidden (remaining) leukemia cells and avoid relapse.
  • Drugs: high dose chemotherapy, sometimes directed drugs.
  • All of these patients may also have their stem cell (bone marrow) transplant here should they be of high risk.

Maintenance Therapy (approx 2 years)

  • Aim: Prevent the relapse of leukemia.
  • Drugs: Lower dose oral chemotherapy (such as methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine taken regularly with stronger doses every now and again).
  • Important to cure in long-term.

Other Major Treatments

Prophylaxis of Central Nervous System (CNS)

  • Brain/spinal cord can be affected with LLL.
  • Intrathecal chemotherapy (certain drugs injected into the spinal fluid such as methotrexate or cytarabine).
  • Sometimes cranial radiations (not so common now in children with the side effects).

Targeted Therapy

  • Chromosome -positive (Ph+ ALL) => Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) include imatinib, dasatinib, ponatinib.
  • These are in combination with chemotherapy.

Newer things: Immunotherapy

  • CAR-T cell (e.g., tisagenlecleucel) immunotherapy reprograms the immune cells of a patient to destroy leukemia.
  • Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., blinatumomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin).
  • Is used in resistant or setup, failure to react to standard chemotherapy.

Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) transplant

  • Recommended as high-risk ALL, non-responders, or relapse.
  • Needs a donor (matched sibling or an unrelated).

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia symptoms

An explanation of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) symptoms is clear as follows:

General Symptoms (low red blood cells, white cells and platelets)

  • Fatigue, weakness (anemia)
  • Pale skin
  • Congestive heart failure Shortness of breath on activity
  • Frequent infections, fevers (low immunity)
  • Increased ease of bruising or bleeding (decreased platelets)
  • Nose bleeds, bleeding gums, small red areas on the skin (petechiae)

Pain & Swelling

  • Bone or joint ache (defeated bone marrow)
  • Lump in the neck, underarms or groin
  • Enlarged liver (or spleen, which feels like abdominal fullness or pain)

Other Signs

  • Poor appetite, weight decrease
  • Night sweats
  • Persistent weakness

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia survival rate

This is an organized summary of survival prospects of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

The general survival rates (with treatment)

Children (and are younger than 15 years old):

  • 5-year survival: 85-90 %
  • The highest cure rates occur in children (particularly at 1-10 y of age, with standard-risk characteristics).

Adolescents and Young Adults (15 -39 years of age):

  • Survival 5-year: 60-75 %
  • Results are better when they are treated with some regimens reminiscent of pediatrics.

Adults (at the age of 40 years or older):

  • 5-year survival: 35-45 %
  • The survival is low with advancing age, particularly after 60.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia causes

Here is a description of the causes and risk factors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL):

What Causes ALL?

  • There has not been a single direct cause singled out
  • The transformation of DNA of the immature bone marrow cells (lymphoblasts) starts with the mutation of the DNA.
  • The mutations result in uncontrolled growth of the cells impeding their maturity into normal lymphocytes and pushing aside those of normal blood cells.

Risk factors associated with ALL

Genetic Factors

There are some predisposed syndromes that expose one to danger:

  • Down syndrome
  • Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  • Bloom syndrome
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Family history: A slightly increased risk is present with a brother or sister (especially identical twin) having had ALL.

Chromosomal Abnormalities

  • Philadelphia chromosome (BCR-ABL fusion gene) → related to increased risk and occurs in adults.
  • Other mutations that pertain to cell growth and repair.

Environmental & External Factors

  • Prior radiation (e.g., cancer treatment or nuclear accident).
  • Pre-other cancer chemotherapy.
  • Potential toxicosis with chemicals (such as benzene).

Immunity Issues

  • Individuals with already compromised immune systems (congenital immune deficiencies, HIV/AIDS, or immunosuppressant drugs following organ transplant) are more susceptible.

Age & Demographics

  • It is most common in children (particularly between age 2 and 5).
  • The second peak of also occurs in adults aged above 50.
  • A bit more prevalent in males when compared to females.

Best hospitals for acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment

Affordable acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment in India by GetWellGo

GetWellGo is a medical travel facilitator that guides international patients to get quality, affordable medical treatment in India especially cancer care. In ALL or other blood cancer, they offer end-to-end services such as:

  • Avail of top hospitals and doctor expertise in hemato-oncology in India 
  • Clear pricing systems, transparency and customer support with cost comparisons across partner hospitals 
  • Complete services like around the clock support, online meetings, case managers, visa procedures, language support, travel arrangements, accommodation, local sim cards, and even the provision of food 
  • Special assistance in CAR-T cell therapy and relapsed/refractory cases in cancers in blood.

Why Choose GetWellGo for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia treatment.
  • Expert oncologists with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food

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