Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most common form of cancer in children but it also affects adults. In ALL, the lymphocytes are cancerous and don't fight infections very well.
Causes
Most of the time, no clear cause can be found for ALL. These include:
- exposure to very high doses of radiation either accidentally (nuclear accident) or therapeutically (to treat other cancers)
- exposure to industrial chemicals like benzene, pesticides and certain types of chemotherapy used to treat other cancers.
Signs and Symptoms
- High number of leukemia cells causes: Pain in the bones or joints, Lack of appetite, Headache, Vomiting.
- Low number of platelets causes: Cuts that heal slowly, Easy bruising or bleeding, Tiny red spots on the skin (petechiae).
- Low number of white blood cells causes: Fever, Frequent infections, Infections that are hard to treat.
- Low number of red blood cells (anemia) causes: Fatigue (tiredness), Shortness of breath, Unusually pale skin.
Nursing Diagnosis for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ( ALL )
1. Risk for infection related to the decline in the body's defense system.
2. Activity intolerance related to weakness caused by anemia.
3. Risk for injury : bleeding related to a decrease in platelet count.
4. Risk for fluid volume deficits related to nausea and vomiting.
5. Imbalanced Nutrition Less Than Body Requirements related to anorexia, malaise, nausea and vomiting, side effects of chemotherapy and or stomatitis.
6. Pain related to the physiological effects of leukemia.
7. Impaired skin integrity related to administration of chemotherapy agents, radiotherapy , immobility.