Definition: "Acute lymphoblastic leukemia" (often abbreviated as ALL) is a type of cancer. It happens when there are too many immature cells called lymphoblasts in the blood and bone marrow. These cells do not work like normal blood cells. This condition is most common in children, but it can also affect adults.
Breaking it Down: - Acute: This means that the illness comes on quickly and is severe. It requires immediate medical attention. - Lymphoblastic: This refers to lymphoblasts, which are immature white blood cells. These cells normally help the body fight infections. - Leukemia: This is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissues, like the bone marrow. It leads to the production of abnormal blood cells.
Usage Instructions: You can use "acute lymphoblastic leukemia" when discussing health, medicine, or cancer specifically. It is a medical term, so it may not be used often in everyday conversation unless talking about health issues.
Example Sentence:"Doctors diagnosed her with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and she began treatment immediately."
Advanced Usage: In a medical context, you might hear terms like "remission" (when the symptoms of leukemia decrease or disappear) or "chemotherapy" (the treatment used to kill cancer cells).
Word Variants: - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (noun) - Lymphoblast (noun) - the immature cells involved in this condition - Leukemic (adjective) - relating to leukemia
Different Meanings:While "acute lymphoblastic leukemia" has a specific medical meaning, "acute" alone can refer to any serious or severe condition. For example, "acute pain" refers to severe pain that comes on suddenly.
Synonyms:There are not direct synonyms for "acute lymphoblastic leukemia," but you might hear: - "ALL" (abbreviation) - "Acute leukemia" (a broader term that includes other types of leukemia)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There are no idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "acute lymphoblastic leukemia," as it is a very specialized term. However, you might use phrases like "fight cancer" or "battle leukemia" to describe the struggle someone faces when diagnosed.
Overall, "acute lymphoblastic leukemia" is a serious medical condition that involves abnormal blood cells, mostly affecting children.