Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Health Article

Lymphoblasts

—The cancerous cells of ALL, immature forms of lymphocytes, white blood cells that fight infection.

Ommaya reservoir

—A special device surgically placed under the scalp with a direct connection to spinal fluid. Medications to treat central nervous system disease are injected into the reservoir.

Petechiae

—Pinpoint red spots seen on the skin with low platelet counts.

Philadelphia chromosome

—An abnormal chromosome found in 20% of adults and 5% of children with ALL, the presence of which indicates a somewhat worse prognosis.

Sanctuary sites

—Areas within the body which are relatively impermeable to medications such as chemotherapy but which can harbor cancerous cells. Some of these sites are the central nervous system, the testicles, and the eyes.

Thymus

—A gland within the chest involved in the maturation of immune cells that can be invaded by T lymphocytes in T-cell ALL.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• What type of leukemia do I or does my child have?
• What characteristics of my or my child's illness are favorable? Which are unfavorable?
• What course of therapy do you recommend?
• What medications will you use and what side effects are anticipated?
• Will I or my child need to be hospitalized for those treatments?
• Should I or my child be enrolled in a clinical trial?
• Can I continue to work or can my child go to school?
• Can I stay with my child for procedures? For hospitalizations?
• How and what should we tell our child about this illness?
• What should we tell our other children?