Leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic
Acute leukaemia is a type of cancer which affects certain cells present in the blood white blood cells, red blood cells and thrombocytes. All of the cells present in the blood are produced by the blood marrow or bones, which is found inside the bone.
A common test for this condition is a blood workup of peripheral blood, which can lead doctors to believe this diagnosis is possible. Following this, a blood marrow biopsy may be necessary. This test involves extracting material from the inside of the bone, and subsequently analyzing it.
Treatment is usually carried out in three stages known as induction, consolidation and maintenance. The patient must become hospitalized. The patient then receives blood transfusions, and extra care is taken against infections. Following this, chemotherapy may be applicable (using cytostatic preparations), which aims to eliminate the sick cells.
Being immunocompromised (having a weakened immune system) is a possible complication for some patients with acute leukaemia. Patients suffering from acute leukaemia face a high risk of infection. This may be due to the patient's immune system becoming compromised, or due to the suppression of the immune system by the medication usually administered to treat leukaemia.
When Hazel Phillips went to see her GP about an ear infection, she suspected something more serious was wrong because of her other symptoms. A blood test confirmed her worst fears: she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.