Epidemiology

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is rare. It is estimated that 6550 new cases of ALL and 1330 associated deaths will occur in the US in 2024.[9]

Median age at diagnosis is 17 years.[9] More than half of all cases (53%) occur in those aged under 20 years.[9] Peak incidence occurs at 1-4 years (78 per 1 million [2017-2021]); incidence decreases to 25 cases per 1 million by 10-14 years (2017-2021).[10]

ALL is slightly more common in males than females.[9] Incidence in the US is highest in Hispanic people (26 per 1 million [2017-2021]) and lowest in non-Hispanic black people (10 per 1 million [2017-2021]).[10]

B-ALL (arising from B lymphoid progenitors) accounts for approximately 75% of cases, with the remainder being predominantly T-ALL (arising from T lymphoid progenitors).[4][5]​ Mixed-phenotype (B-cell and T-cell) ALL may occur, but is exceptionally rare.

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