acute lymphoblastic leukemia

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with back pain. Lateral radiographs at presentation of the thoracic (left) and lumbar (middle) spine show diffuse osteopenia and loss of vertebral body height throughout the spine while lateral radiograph obtained a decade later of the lumbar spine (right) shows a faint bone within bone appearance of the vertebral bodies.The diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and abdominal pain. Axial CT with IV and oral contrast of the abdomen shows marked thickening of the wall of the cecum. The remainder of the colon was unremarkable.The diagnosis was typhlitis in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disorder of the bone marrow characterized by the proliferation of the lymphoid progenitor cells.

Epidemiology

ALL is the commonest form of childhood leukemia, accounting for ~80% of pediatric leukemia cases . In adults, ALL corresponds to ~20% of leukemia cases .

Peak age is between 3 to 7 years, with a second peak over 40 years.

Clinical presentation

The clinical features of acute lymphoblastic leukemia are non-specific. Children commonly have at least one of pallor, fever, a palpable liver, a palpable spleen, or bruising on diagnosis . Other symptoms such as bone or joint pain, weight loss, anorexia, bleeding, abdominal pain and abdominal distension are also common.

Pathology

In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the lymphoid progenitor cells, also known as lymphoblasts, do not mature due to abnormal expression of genes, often as a result of chromosomal abnormalities or chromosomal translocations. The proliferation of the primitive cells takes up more and more marrow space at the expense of the normal hematopoietic elements, resulting in a decrease in the production of normal blood cells and bone marrow failure. Eventually, the lymphoblasts spill into the blood and can affect the liver, spleen, central nervous system, and lymph nodes.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Bone lesions are common in leukemia. A metaphyseal radiolucent band is one of the most important radiological finding . Other radiological findings include subperiosteal new bone formation and osteolytic lesions involving the medullary cavity and cortex .

Chest radiograph may reveal a mediastinal mass.

Treatment and prognosis

The treatment for ALL typically has three phases:

  • induction therapy: combination chemotherapy is used to rapidly kill tumor cells with an aim to get the patient into remission
  • consolidation phase: if remission is achieved, further chemotherapy is given during this phase to treat the residual disease
  • maintenance phase: if the patient is still in remission after the consolidation phase, maintenance oral therapy is given
    • this may last up to three years if the patient remains in remission

Pediatric patients with ALL have an overall five-year survival rate of 80% depending on their risk profile . However, only 30-40% of adults with ALL achieve long-term remission with the current treatment regimens .

Differential diagnosis

For the ALL bony abnormalities, consider:

Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Akute lymphatische Leukämie (ALL):