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Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

Answers to questions about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Can ALL come back?

The leukaemia may come back (relapse) but it can be treated.

Explanation

The effectiveness of treatment for leukaemia depends on the type and stage of the leukaemia. If the leukaemia does come back, it's usually in the bone marrow, the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, or in the testicles if you are a man. The treatment you receive may include different medicines or combinations of medicines or high dose treatment with a stem cell transplant. Ask your doctor for advice.

Further information

Sources

  • Remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Macmillan Cancer Support. www.macmillan.org.uk, accessed 28 May 2008
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Will I still be able to have children?

Many people can have healthy children after they have been treated for ALL. Certain treatments may reduce the chances of having children or cause infertility.

Explanation

Some of the medicines you may take have temporary or permanent effects on fertility. Some medicines have less of an effect. Talking with your doctor and your partner about your plans for children means you can discuss any concerns and thoughts you have.

If you have intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy as part of high-dose treatment and a stem cell transplant, it's very likely you will be infertile afterwards.

If you are a woman, you may find that your periods stop or are irregular during treatment. They may return to normal after treatment; this may take six months to a year. The closer a woman is to the menopause, the less likely it is that her periods will return.

Men and teenage boys may consider storing sperm before treatment. If you are a woman, you may be able to store fertilised eggs if you and your partner plan to have child.

ALL is fast growing and you may need to start treatment before it is possible to collect eggs or sperm.

Ask your doctor to explain how your individual treatment will affect your chances of having children.

Further information

Sources

  • How treatment for ALL may affect your fertility. Macmillan Cancer Support. www.macmillan.org.uk, accessed 28 May 2008
  • About fertility and chemotherapy. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 28 May 2008
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What will happen if I have a stem cell transplant?

The stem cells will be taken from a donor or from your blood. They will then be put into your blood after high-dose treatment (chemotherapy or sometimes radiotherapy).

Explanation

If you need a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, it's often taken from a close relative such as a bother or sister, as their cells most closely match your own.

After you have had standard chemotherapy treatment you, or more usually your stem cell donor, will be given a daily injection of growth factor, which will increase the number of peripheral stem cells in the blood. The stem cells are then collected from the blood using a drip and are stored.

The stem cells are put into your body by a drip after high-dose treatment which kills the leukaemia cells in the body. The stem cells replace the leukaemia stem cells which have been destroyed by the high-dose treatment.

Stem cells are sometimes taken from the bone marrow, which is where all blood cells are produced. A syringe is passed through the skin into the hip bone (pelvis) or breastbone (sternum) to collect the cells from the bone marrow. A number of sections of each area may be targeted to get enough stem cells. You, or the person donating their bone marrow cells, will need a general anaesthetic.

After high-dose treatment and a stem cell transplant, you will need to stay in an isolation room for a few weeks to prevent infections. You may also be given antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal treatments to prevent any infections.

The stem cells find their way to the bone marrow once they are in your body and start to produce new blood cells after a few days and weeks.

Further information

Sources

  • Bone marrow transplants. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 28 May 2008
  • What is a stem cell or bone marrow transplant? Macmillan Cancer Support. www.macmillan.org.uk, accessed 28 May 2008
  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplants for ALL. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 28 May 2008
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

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