Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 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 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 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 in Australians 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

Leukaemia is less common than other cancer types, affecting 1 in 61 Australians by the age of 85. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most common form of acute leukaemia in young adults, primarily affecting Australians under the age of 15. Each year approximately 440 Australians are diagnosed with ALL, with more males than females diagnosed.

There are many different tests that are used to diagnose acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 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.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and Acute myeloid leukaemia (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 Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, like: 

• Quitting smoking – Cigarette smoking carries a significantly higher risk of developing ALL

• Getting regular exercise – Cancer Australia recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day

• 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 and saturated fats, and avoid all processed meat.

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1. 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

2. 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/

3. Cancer Council (2020). Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Retrieved 4 January 2022 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia/

4. 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

5. 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