White blood cells are made in the bone marrow (soft material inside bone). They fight infection. When a child has leukemia, the bone marrow makes a lot of abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells push out the normal blood cells. This makes it hard for the blood to do its work. There are not enough normal white blood cells to fight infection too.
Childhood leukemia starts in the bone marrow. It can spread to other parts of the body.
There are four types of leukemia:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
Most children have ALL or AML.
What causes it?
We do not know what causes leukemia.
There are some risk factor:
Blood diseases like myelodysplastic syndrome
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Genetic problems like Down syndrome, Fanconi's anemia, Kleinfelter syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, Ataxia Telangectasia, Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome
Taking medicines that decrease the immune system. The immune system protects the body.
Very high levels of radiation
Some viruses like Human T-cell leukemia virus
Working with chemicals like benzene or formaldehyde
These are only risk factors. Most people who have one of the risk factors do not get leukemia.
If you think your child is at risk for leukemia, talk with your doctor.
Who can get it?
All ages can get leukemia.
It is the most common kind of cancer found in children.
It happens in white children more than other races.
It happens in boys more than girls.
It most often happens in children between 2 and 8 years old.
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,000 children will get leukemia each year.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Anemia (low iron in blood)
Chills
Easy bruising and bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums)
Swelling in the belly--this is caused by swelling of the liver or spleen.
Swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck, groin or armpit)
Tiredness
Weakness
Weight loss
Is it contagious?
No, leukemia is not contagious. You cannot get it from someone else.
It does not run in families either.
How is it treated?
Each child is different.
Common treatments include:
Chemotherapy - The abnormal cells are killed by medicines. Chemotherapy can be taken by mouth, by shots, or given into a vein (intravenously).
Radiation therapy - High-energy x-rays are used to kill abnormal cells.
Bone marrow transplantation - After radiation and chemotherapy kills the abnormal bone marrow, healthy bone marrow from a healthy donor is given to a patient through a vein. The healthy bone marrow goes to the patient's bones and makes healthy blood cells. Most children with leukemia will not need a bone marrow transplant.
How long does it last?
Leukemia can last a while.
The main goal of treatment is remission. Remission is when there are no more cancer cells seen in the body.
Once a child is in remission, he needs to have chemotherapy for 2 to 3 years to stay cancer-free.
Sometimes leukemia will come back even with the chemotherapy. Then other types of treatment will have to be used.
Leukemia can be cured. Cure means being in remission for 5 or more years. The cure rate is different for each child.
Can it be prevented?
Leukemia cannot be prevented since we do not know what causes it.
When should you call the doctor?
Call the doctor if your child has any of the signs or symptoms of leukemia. There are no special tests that help find leukemia early. It is important to call your doctor if your child has any of the signs or symptoms above.
Call the doctor if you think your child is at risk for getting leukemia.
Call the doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.
Quick Answers
Childhood leukemia is a kind of cancer.
It is a cancer of white blood cells. It can spread to other parts of the body.
It is the most common kind of cancer found in children.
We do not know what causes leukemia.
All ages can get leukemia.
Leukemia cannot be prevented since we do not know what causes it.
Call the doctor if your child has any of the signs or symptoms of leukemia.
There are no special tests that help find leukemia early. It is important to call your doctor if your child has any of the signs or symptoms above.
Call the doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.
References
American Cancer Society. Overview: Leukemia - Children's. 2003, December 10. (cited 2004, April 14). URL: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/leukemia
JAMA & Archives. JAMA Patient Page: Leukemia. 2001, August 22/29. (cited, 2004, April 14). URL: http://www.medem.com/search/article_display.cfm?path=\\TANQUERAY\M_ContentItem&mstr=/M_ContentItem/ZZZTGZ3XDQC.html&soc=JAMA/Archives&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH
National Institute of Health. Leukemia. 2003, March 31. (cited 2004, April 14). URL: http://www.medem.com/search/article_display.cfm?path=\\TANQUERAY\M_ContentItem&mstr=/M_ContentItem/ZZZGQ2ME38C.html&soc=NIH&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH
National Cancer Institute. What You Need To Know About Leukemia. 2003, March 31. (cited 2004, April 14). URL: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/leukemia
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