Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer. 60% of all ALL cases occur in children, with a peak incidence at age two to five years old. A second peak occurs in adults over 50. As with AML, chromosomal abnormalities and genetic alterations affect the differentiation and proliferation of precursor cells.
Presenting symptoms can include:
- fatigue
- pallor
- infections
- CNS symptoms
- easy bruising and bleeding
- abdominal pain
- swollen lymph nodes
- difficulty breathing (especially in T Cell-ALL)
