Acute leukaemia is a form of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by the rapid growth of immature and abnormal white blood cells, or leukocytes, in the body. These abnormal cells, known as blasts, do not fully develop into normal blood cells and rapidly accumulate in the bone marrow, interfering with the production of healthy blood cells.
Acute leukaemia can be classified into two main types: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). ALL primarily affects the lymphoid cells, which are responsible for producing white blood cells involved in the body's immune response. AML, on the other hand, affects the myeloid cells, which give rise to red blood cells, platelets, and other types of white blood cells.
The symptoms of acute leukaemia often manifest rapidly and include fatigue, weakness, frequent infections, fever, easy bruising or bleeding, anemia, and unexplained weight loss. If left untreated, acute leukaemia can be life-threatening.
Treatment for acute leukaemia typically involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. These treatments aim to eliminate the abnormal leukemia cells and restore normal blood cell production. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, including the patient's age, overall health, and the specific subtype of acute leukaemia.
Overall, acute leukaemia is a serious and aggressive form of cancer that requires prompt medical attention and specialized treatment to improve outcomes and survival rates.
