Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) from Benzene Exposure

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a type of cancer that starts from white blood cells in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of the bones) called lymphocytes. In most cases, ALL quickly moves into the blood. It can then spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and testes.

Other types of cancer that start in these organs and then spread (metastasize) to the bone marrow are not leukemia. In ALL, this difference is very important because the patient may have a lymphoma, a cancer of lymphocytes that generally begins in lymph nodes. Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether a patient with malignant lymphocytes in lymph nodes and bone marrow has leukemia or lymphoma. One rule of thumb is, if more than 25% of the bone marrow is replaced by malignant lymphocytes, it is called leukemia. Another depends on the size of lymph nodes. The bigger they are, the more likely the disease is a lymphoma.

Acute means that the leukemia develops quickly, and if not treated, would probably be fatal in a few months. Lymphocytic or lymphoblastic means it develops from cells called lymphocytes or lymphoblasts. It is different from acute myeloid leukemia that develops in a different white blood cell type found in the bone marrow. For more information on this leukemia see the document - Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The Different Types of Leukemia

American Cancer Society

Benzene Lawsuits – Talk to a Benzene Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with any of the following leukemia's, then please contact us immediately:

• Aplastic Anemia (AA)
• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)

Consulting with an attorney to discuss a potential benzene exposure lawsuit is time sensitive. Each state has a specific rule called a Statute of Limitation that restricts how long you have to file a lawsuit. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, with over 25 years of experience. We will help answer your questions. Click the link below to fill out our free and confidential benzene lawsuit evaluation.

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