Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia - Complications

Fatigue and General Feelings of Ill Health. Long-term effects of the disease and its treatments may include fatigue and general aches and pains, which can have a negative impact on daily life.

Osteoporosis. Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) is a side effect of corticosteroids. Patients or their parents should discuss approaches to reduce this risk. Many therapies of protecting bone are available.

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes progressive loss of bone density, thinning of bone tissue, and an increased risk of fractures. Osteoporosis may result from disease, dietary or hormonal deficiency, or advanced age. Regular exercise and vitamin and mineral supplements can reduce and may even reverse boneloss.

Heart Disease. Some of the treatments increase risk factors for future heart disease, including unhealthy cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Patients with ALL should be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle and be regularly monitored for heart risks to help reduce these effects.

Click the icon to see an image of cholesterol.

text continues below

Obesity. Children treated for ALL are at higher risk for obesity, possibly because the treatments trigger an earlier than normal occurrence in childhood weight gain. Corticosteroids, drugs used in treatments, also increase appetite, which contributes to the problem. One study indicated, however, that lifestyle factors, such as adopting a pattern of reduced physical activity during treatment, plays the major role in this complication.

Impaired Mental and Neurologic Functioning. Cranial radiation and drugs used in chemotherapy, especially specific corticosteroids and intrathecal treatments may impair mental functioning and cause neurologic problems, such as movement problems. Advances in cranial radiation may reduce the neurologic and mental risks from this treatment, but it can occur with many other treatments as well. A 2001 report suggested that methylphenidate (Ritalin) may improve mental performance in children.

Infections. Some children may be more vulnerable to infections after completing chemotherapy, although the immune system tends to improve over time. Studies now suggest that young survivors of leukemia have an increased risk for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), even if they have been previously vaccinated. Children, then, may need reimmunization.

Impaired Physical Growth. Cranial radiation can result in impaired growth.

Infertility. Chemotherapy, cranial radiation, or both can impair fertility in male and female patients.