Spanish
Santo Domingo. - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer that primarily affects children, being the most common oncological condition in childhood.
According to Dr. Daniela Chacón, hematologist at the Santa Paula Medical Group (GMSP), it is estimated that there are approximately 2,000 annual cases of ALL in the country. Although this figure does not make it a pathology as common as high blood pressure, for example, it has high incidence rates worldwide, as well as nationally.
Although ALL is not frequent, its impact on the life of both the patient and their family is significant, affecting not only physical well-being, but also mental and emotional, commented the specialist.
Dr. Chacón explained that ALL cannot be prevented, as it occurs due to genetic mutations in healthy people without known risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, or smoking. However, exposure to high levels of radiation can be a trigger for the development of hematological pathologies, including cancer.
Warning signs
It is crucial to seek medical attention if common symptoms of ALL manifest, which vary depending on the patient's age:
· In pediatric patients: The disease can cause loss of energy, leading the child to stop playing, prefer to lie down, and not smile normally. Other signs include paleness, spontaneous bruising, bleeding, prolonged fever without apparent cause that does not improve, and continuous, strong, and generalized bone pain that limits daily activities. In some cases, an increase in the size of the neck lymph nodes or spleen may be noticed.
· In adults: ALL mainly manifests with extreme fatigue, intense weakness, paleness and, in certain cases, skin or mucous membrane bleeding (such as gums).
Accurate Diagnosis
To detect the disease, the first step is a complete hematology analysis, then the exact diagnosis is made by the Flow Cytometry Study.
In this sense, the GMSP has hematologists and bioanalysts, as well as a high-quality laboratory that guarantees accurate results when performing hematology, general biochemistry, coagulation profile, LDH, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Dr. Chacón emphasizes that the prognosis of the disease does not depend on the time of diagnosis, but on the associated genetic mutations, which determine the risk of the pathology, and if there is infiltration in the nervous system.
Reverse isolation treatment
As for treatment, specialists state that the condition requires intensive therapies adapted to the characteristics of each case. The hematologist mentioned that the GMSP has reverse isolation rooms and specialized personnel trained to properly care for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These rooms are vital in the initial stages of ALL when the person begins to receive induction therapies (chemotherapies designed to decrease cancer cells), as these lower the patient's defenses, making them require blood transfusions. Reverse isolation rooms are designed to protect immunocompromised patients from communicable diseases, as their health condition makes it difficult for the body to fight infections. These rooms have an anteroom for professionals to wash their hands, put on masks and surgical gowns. Likewise, the GMSP ensures the accompaniment and follow-up of hematologists, along with a multidisciplinary group of specialists, belonging to the areas of infectology, internal medicine, among others. In addition, the clinic has an in-hospital pharmacy, equipped with an extractor hood and the essential medical equipment, for the safe preparation of chemotherapy drugs, since it allows the absorption of the toxic gases released by the components with which it works, thus protecting the personnel who prepare them. The institution also has a blood bank. Backed by its parent company, Keralty, GMSP reiterates its commitment to excellence in medical care, offering its patients and healthcare professionals innovative tools that facilitate access to quality services. To be attended at GMSP or to obtain more information, you can call 0500 CUIDATE (2843283) or (0212) 9176200, write via WhatsApp to 0414/0424/0412/0422 CLINICA (2546422), and visit the page: www.grupomedicosp.com. In addition, you can follow the clinic as @grupomedicosp on social media Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, Threads and on its YouTube channel.
