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What is Adult T-Cell Leukemia?

Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is a rare type of cancer that develops in immune t-cells. ATL is caused by human t-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1, or HTLV-1. This cancer is aggressive, and most patients die within one year of diagnosis. Adult t-cell leukemia is a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. ATL affects adults, and is most common in the Caribbean and Japan. It is noted in less frequent clusters in Western countries.

HTLV-1, the virus responsible for ATL is a retrovirus. It can be transmitted through blood, such as shared needles or a blood transfusion, sexual contact, or from mother to child. The latency period for developing adult t-cell leukemia after exposure to HTLV-1 is an average of 30 years. Less than five percent of people who are carriers of HTLV-1 develop ATL.

HTLV-1, the virus responsible for adult T-cell leukemia, is a retrovirus that can be transmitted through a blood transfusion.
HTLV-1, the virus responsible for adult T-cell leukemia, is a retrovirus that can be transmitted through a blood transfusion.

Visible symptoms of adult t-cell leukemia include skin lesions and enlarged lymph nodes. Other symptoms include an increased susceptibility to infections, high levels of blood calcium, bone lesions and an enlarged liver and spleen. There are four sub-types of the illness, acute and lymphomatous, which both grow very quickly, and less aggressive smoldering and chronic ATL.

The retrovirus HTLV-1 causes leukemia can be transmitted through blood.
The retrovirus HTLV-1 causes leukemia can be transmitted through blood.

Symptoms develop rapidly in acute ATL. The patient typically experiences enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, armpit and neck, fatigue, skin rash, and elevated levels of calcium in the blood, which can lead to severe constipation and an irregular heartbeat. Lymphomatous ATL is confined to the lymph nodes. Chronic ATL progresses slowly, and symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes as well as enlarged organs such as spleen and liver, as well as skin rash and fatigue. Smoldering ATL progresses very slowly and presents mild symptoms such as lesions on the skin.

A mother can transmit HTLV-1 to her baby through breast milk.
A mother can transmit HTLV-1 to her baby through breast milk.

Diagnosis of adult t-cell leukemia is made by biopsy. The healthcare provider will view abnormal skin tissue or tumor tissue through a microscope to make a diagnosis. He or she may also perform a blood test to measure levels of calcium in the blood, as well as white blood cell counts. Once a diagnosis is made, the doctor may order a CT scan of the spleen, liver, chest, and abdomen as well as a bone marrow biopsy to determine the extent of the illness.

Adult t-cell leukemia is diagnosed by viewing skin tissue or tumor tissue through a microscope.
Adult t-cell leukemia is diagnosed by viewing skin tissue or tumor tissue through a microscope.

Because adult t-cell leukemia is relatively rare, it is difficult to conduct clinical trials to develop a recommended treatment protocol. Standard treatment for ATL is similar to other forms of t-cell lymphoma, which is a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Patients may also take antiviral medication and interferon to treat the HTLV-1 infection. Some healthcare providers recommend bone marrow transplants for patients that enter remission.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

@Grivusangel -- That is sad. A man in our city had it and his chemotherapy drug had been recalled, so they had him on Gleevec, but I don't think it did much good. He was a teacher, so everybody knew him.

It really stinks when the FDA issues recalls on drugs that actually help people. I guess they have to if the drug isn't safe, but when it helps save lives, I just have a problem with that.

Grivusangel

A man in our community who had played football in the pros died from this not long ago. I think he managed six months in remission. He lived about 18 months after diagnosis, which the doctors said was much longer than most patients who have this kind of leukemia.

The doctors were looking to try a bone marrow transplant, and a bone marrow drive was held, but there weren't any matches they found before he died. It was very, very sad.

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    • HTLV-1, the virus responsible for adult T-cell leukemia, is a retrovirus that can be transmitted through a blood transfusion.
      By: Pavle
      HTLV-1, the virus responsible for adult T-cell leukemia, is a retrovirus that can be transmitted through a blood transfusion.
    • The retrovirus HTLV-1 causes leukemia can be transmitted through blood.
      By: AJ Cann
      The retrovirus HTLV-1 causes leukemia can be transmitted through blood.
    • A mother can transmit HTLV-1 to her baby through breast milk.
      By: MNStudio
      A mother can transmit HTLV-1 to her baby through breast milk.
    • Adult t-cell leukemia is diagnosed by viewing skin tissue or tumor tissue through a microscope.
      By: luchschen_shutter
      Adult t-cell leukemia is diagnosed by viewing skin tissue or tumor tissue through a microscope.