acute lymphoblastic leukemia
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Definition
Noun: 1. A type of acute leukemia: A fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by the uncontrolled production of immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts. These abnormal cells crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and blood.
Usage
This is a medical term used specifically in healthcare, oncology, and related scientific contexts. - It is often abbreviated as ALL. - It is frequently discussed in relation to patient demographics, treatment protocols, and prognosis.
Examples
- The child was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and began chemotherapy immediately.
- Research into new therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia has improved survival rates significantly.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood cancer.
Advanced Usage
- Subtypes: Medical professionals may specify subtypes of ALL based on the specific type of lymphocyte (B-cell or T-cell) from which the leukemia originated (e.g., B-cell ALL, T-cell ALL).
- Remission and relapse: In clinical contexts, the terms "remission" (disappearance of signs of cancer) and "relapse" (return of the cancer after treatment) are commonly associated with discussions of ALL.
Variants and Related Words
- ALL: The standard abbreviation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia: A synonymous term often used interchangeably with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- Leukemia: The broader category of blood and bone marrow cancers to which ALL belongs.
- Lymphoblast: The immature cell that proliferates abnormally in this disease.
Synonyms
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia
Notes on Different Meanings
This term has a single, specific meaning in medical terminology. It does not have general or figurative uses outside this context.
Noun
- acute leukemia characterized by proliferation of immature lymphoblast-like cells in bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and blood; most common in children