A REVIEW ARTICLE OF CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Background: Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a malignant disorder that originates in a single B or T lymphocyte progenitor. Worldwide, it is the most common childhood cancer. It accounts 25% of all childhood cancers and approximately 75% of all cases of childhood leukemia. Although contemporary treatments have been effective in curing more than 80% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia; however, some patients develop fatal acute and delayed complications as a result of side effects from the medications requiring more aggressive management. Objective: Detect the recent incidence of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and causes of that. Also discuss the treatment strategies of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and their late possible effects. Methods:The data was collected from PubMed, Medline, SDL, Up to date and Springer databases. The search terms were childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, incidence, classification, biology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, causes, risk factors, treatment, survival rate, long-term outcomes, worldwide and Saudi Arabia. Conclusion:Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia incidence rates are generally higher in developed than in developing countries. The risk factors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia are environmental and genetic factors. The late effects of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment mainly are increasing of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, neurocognitive impairment, endocrine dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities. There are multiple new treatments that might improve the overall response of patients like molecular therapies that target genetic abnormalities of the leukemic cells and their affected signaling pathways