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Causes of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Who is more likely to get acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is rare, but anyone can get it.

It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if:

  • you're a child or young adult – it's most common in children aged 4 and under
  • you have a genetic condition such as Down's syndrome
  • you've had certain types of chemotherapy treatment in the past
  • you were exposed to a lot of radiation or had radiotherapy treatment in the past, especially when you were a child
  • you are exposed to high levels of a chemical called benzene
  • you have a weakened immune system, for example you have HIV
Information:

It's important to get any symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia checked by a GP.

Page last reviewed: 13 July 2023
Next review due: 13 July 2026