Can Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Be Cured?

Whether acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be cured depends on multiple factors. For pediatric patients, the cure rate is generally higher, reaching approximately 80%. For adult patients, however, the cure rate is relatively lower, typically ranging between 30% and 40%. Treatment outcomes are closely related to genetic alterations, patient age, and disease severity. For instance, patients with complex karyotypes or additional chromosomal abnormalities usually have a poorer prognosis. Similarly, older patients often have worse outcomes due to their inability to tolerate intensive treatments. Treatment options mainly include autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy. Among these, stem cell transplantation may improve cure rates when the patient's condition is stable and their physical condition is strong. It should be noted that the disease may relapse after treatment. Symptoms of relapse include fever, infection, and bleeding, which require close monitoring and timely intervention.