Скачать или смотреть Doctor explains Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) | Causes, symptoms, treatment & more

In this video Dr O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

What Is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer that affects the white blood cells, primarily lymphoblasts, and originates in the bone marrow. It is most common in children but can affect adults as well. This video explores the key symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment options for ALL.

Symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:

Symptoms of ALL can develop quickly and may include:

Persistent fatigue and weakness
Frequent or unexplained infections
Easy bruising or unusual bleeding, such as nosebleeds or heavy periods
Pale skin and shortness of breath
Red spots on the skin (petechiae)
Swollen lymph nodes
Joint or bone pain
Night sweats and loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.

Causes and Risk Factors

ALL is caused by genetic mutations that affect how blood cells grow and divide. In some cases, these mutations occur before birth or are linked to inherited conditions. Risk factors include:

1. Being under age 15 or over age 50
2. Genetic conditions like Down syndrome or Fanconi anemia
3. Prior exposure to radiation
4. Certain viral infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus, HTLV)
5. Family history and certain ethnic backgrounds

⚠️ Potential Complications

If ALL spreads to the brain or spinal cord, it can cause:

Headaches, nausea, or vomiting
Blurred or double vision
Seizures
Facial muscle weakness or numbness
Balance issues
Enlarged liver or spleen
Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome

🧪 How ALL Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis typically includes:

A physical exam and symptom review
Blood tests
Bone marrow biopsy
Imaging scans (CT, MRI, PET)
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

These help determine the presence and spread of leukemia cells in the body.

💊 Treatment Options

Treatment is often intensive and may involve:

Chemotherapy (mainstay of treatment):
Delivered in four phases—remission induction, CNS-directed therapy, consolidation, and maintenance.

Targeted Therapy:

Used for specific genetic mutations like the Philadelphia chromosome.

Immunotherapy: Boosts the immune system to fight cancer, including CAR-T cell therapy.

Radiation Therapy: Used if leukemia returns or spreads to the brain/spinal cord.

Bone Marrow Transplant: Considered when other treatments are not effective.

📈 Outlook and Survival Rates

With appropriate treatment:

98% of children achieve remission.
Overall 5-year survival rate is about 72%.
Children have a higher survival rate (up to 90%).

This all depends on many factors, including age, response to treatment, and genetic mutations.

Content and timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
00:35 - What is ALL?
02:11 - Causes of ALL
03:20 - Symptoms of ALL
04:52 - Diagnosis of ALL
06:02 - Treatment of ALL


*Website resources*

NHS UK information - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-l...

Cleveland Clinic USA - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health...

Video made: July 2025

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Disclaimer:

The video is intended as an educational resource only. The information within this video or on this channel isn't designed to replace professional input, so if you have any medical issues please consult a medical provider. No professional relationship is being created by watching this video. Dr. O’Donovan cannot give any individual medical advice. All information should be verified for accuracy by the individual user. Dr O’Donovan accepts no responsibility for individual interpretation of data, although it is always accurate to the best of his knowledge at the time of the video being published. This is an EDUCATIONAL video. Images are used in accordance with fair use guidelines.

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