Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

ALL is not usually hereditary although common inherited conditions that have been linked to ALL include Fanconi anaemia, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Bloom syndrome, neurofibromatosis and Down syndrome.

The cause of ALL is not fully known, however there are some factors which contribute to the risk of ALL developing, including:

• Age – the risk for ALL is higher for those aged under 15 years of age or over 50 years
• Certain lifestyle-related factors – such as smoking or chewing tobacco, exposure to chemicals such as benzene or large levels of radiation and previous cancer treatments with chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy
• Genetic disorders and family history – inherited conditions such as Down syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Fanconi anaemia can increase the risk for ALL

ALL is the most common form of acute leukaemia in young adults, primarily affecting those under the age of 15. It accounts for around 30% of all childhood cancers.

There are many different tests that are used to diagnose ALL, alongside a physical examination. This may include blood tests to check your full blood count to determine if leukaemia cells are present and a bone marrow biopsy or aspiration to check for leukaemia cells within your bone marrow. Additional scans may include CT, ultrasound or MRI scans to detect if the cancer has spread elsewhere. A lumbar puncture, which involves taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from your lower spine, is usually performed following an ALL diagnosis to confirm if leukaemia cells are present in the fluid surrounding your spine.

ALL and AML are two forms of acute leukaemia which develop from different types of white blood cells. ALL develops from lymphocytes such as B-cells and T-cells while AML develops from myeloid cells.

There are a number of lifestyle-related factors you can consider to reduce your risk of developing ALL, like:

• Quitting smoking – cigarette smoking carries a significantly higher risk of developing ALL
• Getting regular exercise – at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day can reduce your risk
• Avoiding exposure to chemicals such as benzene or large levels of radiation
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet – eat a fibre-rich diet from grain and legume sources, as well as enjoy a variety of fruit (2 serves) and vegetables (5 serves) per day, limit your intake of salt, saturated fats, and avoid all processed meat

1. MyHEALTH Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. Retrieved on 10 November 2023. http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/leukemia-2/
2. Cancer Council (2020). Understanding acute leukaemia. Retrieved 4 January 2022 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Understanding-Acute-Leukaemia-2020.pdf
3. Leukaemia Foundation (2020). Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Retrieved 4 January 2022 from https://www.leukaemia.org.au/blood-cancer-information/types-of-blood-cancer/leukaemia/acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia/
4. Cancer Council (2020). Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Retrieved 4 January 2022 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia/
5. American Cancer Society (2018). Signs and Symptoms of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). Retrieved 4 January 2022 from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
6. Cancer Research UK (2018). Types | Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Retrieved 4 January 2022 from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia-all/types