STUDENT: Gauri Gurumurthy

PROJECT ADVISOR: Dr. Renee Bishop-Pierce

ABSTRACT:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, commonly known as ALL, is a type of leukemia (blood cancer) which occurs in children and adults. ALL accounts for almost 75 percent of pediatric and adolescent leukemia cases. The rates of ALL are the highest in Hispanic children, followed by Caucasian children. The affected children are usually between two and five years old. However, ALL is the least common type out of the five types of leukemia that affect adults.  There specific cause for ALL in children is unknown, but scientists point towards genetic abnormalities such as Down’s Syndrome which may increase the risk along with prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation.  ALL is very dangerous since it causes severe immunodeficiency and anemia, among other symptoms. Most cases of ALL go undiagnosed in the early stages since there is no screening test for it. It is usually detected due to further tests conducted by physicians who may suspect ALL, based on patient and family history and environment. The treatment of ALL in children is one of the successes in oncology. In the United States, children suffering from ALL have an overall survival rate of 80 percent. There are few preventive measures that can be taken against ALL, especially in this digital era.