Presented by: Raphael Pascual, Nina Pascual, Felice Perez, Charmaine Quijano, Quijano, Laarni Regalado

a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of white blood cells. Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases. In turn, it is part of the even broader group of diseases called hematological neoplasms.

A rapid increase in the numbers of immature blood cells. Crowding due to such cells makes the bone marrow unable to produce healthy blood cells. Immediate treatment is required in acute leukemia due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the malignant cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other organs of the body. Acute forms of leukemia are the most common forms of leukemia in children.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

a quickly progressive malignant disease in which there are too many immature bloodforming cells in the blood and bone marrow, the cells being specifically those destined to give rise to the granulocytes or monocytes, both types of white blood cells that fight infections

The malignant cell in AML is the myeloblast A single myeloblast accumulates genetic changes which "freeze" the cell in its immature state and prevent differentiation Combined with other mutations which disrupt genes controlling proliferation, the result is the uncontrolled growth of an immature clone of cells, leading to the clinical entity of AML

AML result from the fact that, as the leukemic clone of cells grows, it tends to displace or interfere with the development of normal blood cells in the bone marrow This leads to neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia Symptoms of AML are in turn often due to the low numbers of these normal blood elements

 diagnosis of AML is typically an abnormal result on a complete blood count AML can also present with isolated decreases in platelets, red blood cells, or even with a low white blood cell count AML can be made via examination of the peripheral blood smear when there are circulating leukemic blasts

 definitive diagnosis usually requires an adequate bone marrow aspiration and biopsy  Marrow or blood is examined via light microscopy as well as flow cytometry to diagnose the presence of leukemia, to differentiate AML from other types of leukemia

First-line treatment of AML consists primarily of chemotherapy, consists in two phases induction therapy is to achieve a complete remission by reducing the amount of leukemic cells to an undetectable level consolidation therapy is to eliminate any residual undetectable disease and achieve a cure Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is usually considered if induction chemotherapy fails or after a patient relapses

An acute (sudden onset), rapidly progressing form of leukemia that is characterized by the presence in the blood and bone marrow of large numbers of unusually immature white blood cells destined to become lymphocytes

 Is caused by damage to DNA that leads to uncontrolled cellular growth and spread throughout the body, either by increasing chemical signals that cause growth, or interrupting chemical signals that control growth Damage may be caused by environmental factors such as chemicals, drugs or radiation ALL is associated with exposure to radiation and chemicals in animals and humans

 ALL begins with a medical history, physical examination, complete blood count, and blood smears A bone marrow biopsy is conclusive proof of ALL A lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap) will tell if the spinal column and brain has been invaded Pathological examination, cytogenetics and immunophenotyping, establish whether the or Lymphoblastic cells are the problem

ALL focuses on control of bone marrow and systemic (whole-body) disease. Additionally, treatment must prevent leukemic cells from spreading to other sites, particularly the central nervous system (CNS) e.g. monthly lumbar punctures. In general, ALL treatment is divided into several phases:

 Induction Chemotherapy  Consolidation therapy or intensification therapy  CNS prophylaxis  Maintenance treatments  Allogenic bone marrow transplantation