Stages of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

There is no standard staging system for ALL.

The extent or spread of cancer is usually described as stages. Instead of stages, ALL treatment is based on whether the cancer is untreated, in remission, or recurrent.

Untreated ALL

In untreated ALL, the disease is newly diagnosed. It has not been treated, except to relieve signs and symptoms caused by the cancer, such as fever, bleeding, or pain, and the following are true:

• The complete blood count (CBC) is abnormal.
• More than 5% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells).
• There are signs and symptoms of leukemia.

ALL in remission

In ALL in remission, the disease has been treated, and the following are true:

• The CBC is normal.
• 5% or fewer of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells).
• There are no signs or symptoms of leukemia other than in the bone marrow.

Recurrent ALL

Recurrent ALL is cancer that has recurred (come back) after going into remission. ALL may come back in the blood, bone marrow, or other parts of the body.