Central nervous disease in pediatric patients during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): a review

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the frequently reported malignancies of childhood age. Earlier it was thought to be a fatal pathological state with no cure, but with advancements in medicine and science, new therapeutic approaches have resulted in better management and cure. However, one of the major hurdles in achieving a complete cure is the relapse of ALL at extra-medullary sites like the central nervous system (CNS). The present review article is focused on recent diagnostic avenues available for the detection of CNS disease during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in young patients.