The etiology of ALL remains largely unknown.
The known risk factors for ALL (such as radiation) are the same as those for leukemia generally.
There is a theory that two separate events needed:
1) In-utero insult:
- Damage to chromosome
2) Second insult:
- ? Infection
- ? Environmental exposure
Supported by cord blood banking studies
Summary of etiological factors associated with ALL:
| Etiological Factor | ||
| Hereditary Disorders | Constitutional chromosome abnormalities associated with increased risk of ALL |
|
| Immunodeficiency Syndromes | Congenital Immunodeficiency Syndromes |
|
| Chronic treatment with immunosuppressive drugs | ||
Ionizing radiation |
||
Toxins |
Benzene |
Linked with adult AML |
| Paternal chemical exposure (insecticides) smoking during preconception period | Not strongly linked | |
Low-frequency Electromagnetic frequencies |
Inconclusive |
This is not proven. |
Infectious agents |
Inconclusive (suggested increase) |
Maternal exposure to viral infection has sometimes been observed |
Maternal Reproductive History |
Not a strong association | Higher risk of ALL in subsequent children if there is a history of fetal loss. |
| Maternal age | Increased risk of ALL with increased maternal age | |
| Higher fetal birth weight | Probably secondary to increased maternal age. | Associated with increased risk of ALL |
Genetic Factors |
karyotypic abnormalities in the cells of children with ALL |
