Acute leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow cells. "Acute" indicates that the leukaemia develops and advances quickly and requires immediate medical attention. In patients with acute leukaemia the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal immature white blood cells which do not function normally. Patient may have low amounts of normal blood cells.
There are two main types of acute leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL): This type of leukaemia affects the lymphoid cell line and progresses rapidly. It is most common in children but can also affect adults.
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): AML affects the myeloid cells and progresses quickly. It is more common in adults but can occur in children.
Symptoms may differ between individuals, depending on the type of leukemia. Some symptoms are due to the increasing number of abnormal leukaemia cells whereas others are caused by the lack of normal blood cells.
If you experience persistent or unusual symptoms that could suggest leukaemia, such as frequent infections or a general feeling of being unwell, it is important to seek medical advice. Additionally, if routine blood tests show abnormal results or you have a family history of blood disorders, consulting a doctor is recommended. Early detection of leukaemia can significantly improve treatment outcomes, so do not ignore changes in your health.
At present there is no routine screening test for leukaemia. Individuals should seek medical attention if they have any of the above symptoms.
Currently there are also no proven preventive strategies for leukaemias. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle may help to prevent disease. This includes:
Most people who develop acute leukemia have no known risk factors and the leukaemia develop spontaneously. There are however some factors which may increase the risk of developing certain types of leukaemia.
These are:
The diagnosis of acute leukaemia is usually confirmed after performing a bone marrow test. The sample extracted during the procedure is used to confirm the type of leukemia and define certain characteristics which may guide treatment options.
The treatment of acute leukaemia depends on the type and characteristics of the disease.
Some treatment options includes:
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be appropriate for selected patients after initial chemotherapy.
Cellular therapy may be an option for some patients where germ-fighting T cells are re-engineered to fight cancer.
Supportive therapy in the form of blood transfusion, infection prevention and early treatment and management of side effects of treatment is also very important. In SGH, we have a comprehensive inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy service and offer various options for acute leukaemia treatment.
Acute leukaemia is primarily diagnosed through a bone marrow biopsy, where a sample of bone marrow is extracted and analysed to determine the type of leukaemia. Blood tests and other diagnostic procedures may also be used to support the findings and guide treatment.
Treatment for acute leukaemia often includes chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy aimed at killing cancerous cells. Some patients may also undergo stem cell transplants or cellular therapy. Supportive care, including blood transfusions and infection management, plays a vital role in the treatment process.
There are no established methods for preventing acute leukaemia and no routine screening tests are available. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, may lower the risk of various cancers, including some types of leukaemia.
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