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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that may increase the risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia include:
- Cancer therapy. Children and adults who've had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy or treatment for other kinds of cancer may have a small, but greater, risk of developing acute lymphocytic leukemia than does the general population.
- Exposure to radiation. People exposed to very high levels of radiation, such as survivors of an atomic bomb blast or a nuclear reactor accident, have an increased risk of developing acute lymphocytic leukemia. This includes children who were exposed to significant radiation during the first months of prenatal development.
- Genetic disorders. Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are associated with some increased risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia.
- Having a brother or sister with ALL. People who have a sibling, including a twin, with acute lymphocytic leukemia are slightly more likely to develop ALL.
However, most people with acute lymphocytic leukemia have no known risk factors.
