Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL); also called Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This is a very serious cancer that rapidly worsens and spreads if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Leukemia is commonly referred to as blood cancer. Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes. This assumes of course that the body has an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen. When there is a shortage of oxygen and nutrients, and other deficiencies in the blood, too many immature white blood cells (lymphoblasts) are produced in the blood and bone marrow.

I stated that Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Normally, the bone marrow makes stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells. There are 3 types of mature blood cells:

Red blood cells; carries oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body. As you read more about Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and for that matter, any other type of cancer, you will read a lot about the red blood cels carrying oxygen to of the body tissues. Oxygen is not only a necessity for life, it is also a nutrient and one of the best defenses against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or any other type of cancer. Cancer can not live in a well oxygenated environment.

White blood cells; blood cells that do not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. White blood cells are made by bone marrow and help the body fight infections and other diseases. They are also called WBC. Unfortunately, chemotherapy kills not only cancer cells but it also kilss the white cells that fight infection.

Platelets; A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. They are also called a thrombocyte. If you are going to undergo chemotherapy for your Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Ask your oncologist about prescribing Neulasta. Neulasta is a drug designed to keep your white cell count up helping you to fight infection. Obviously, proper dieting and nutritional supplements and sufficient oxygen can help provide added defense against infection. Actually a healthy diet and supplements can help prevent getting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the first place. They are equally important during and after your treatment in fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia along with your doctor’s treatment plan.