Leukemia In Children

Leukemia accounts for about 25% of all childhood cancers and affects about 2,200 American children each year. Fortunately, the chances of curing this disease are currently quite high. When treated, most children who get sick will recover without a relapse.
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells in the blood. When a child has leukemia, a large number of abnormal white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow

.
These abnormal white blood cells stick around the bone marrow and flow into the bloodstream but they cannot perform their function of protecting the body from disease because they are defective.
Because it is a blood disease, leukemia is a special cancer because there is no "tumor" in it. Although the cells of these cancers circulate in the blood, it does not mean that these cancer patients are spread to others through blood transfusions
As leukemia progresses, it interferes with the body's ability to produce other types of blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets (small disc-shaped substances in the blood that help blood to clot.



). The result is anemia and bleeding problems, which increase the risk of infection.
Leukemia accounts for about 25% of all childhood cancers and affects about 2,200 American children each year. Fortunately, the chances of curing this disease are currently quite high. When treated, most children who get sick will recover without a relapse.
Types of leukemia in children
In general, leukemia is divided into 2 types: acute (fast growing) and chronic (slow growing). In children, about 98% of leukemia cases are acute
Acute childhood leukemia is divided into 2 types: acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), depending on the separate white blood cells called lymphyocytes, which are involved concerning immunity.




About 60% of children with leukemia are ALL and about 38% are AML. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) can also appear in children, but is very rare.
The risk of leukemia in children
The most common form of ALL occurs in children aged 2-8 years, with the most vulnerable age being 4 years. However it can also affect all age groups.
Children have a 20-25% risk of ALL and AML if they are identical twins, and are diagnosed before age 6. In twins but not identical and in children with siblings with leukemia, the risk of this disease is 2-4 times higher than that of other normal children.
Children with genetic problems such as Down syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Kleinfelter syndrome, neurofibromatosis, ataxia telangectasia or Fanconi anemia are also at higher risk for leukemia. Children who have been treated with chemotherapy or radiation for other types of cancer are also at higher risk for leukemia, usually within the first 8 years after treatment.




Children with genetic problems increase their risk of leukemia
Current studies also show that environmental factors can also cause children with this disease. To limit the risk of children being affected by radiation during pregnancy, pregnant women often consult their doctors before conducting radiation-related tests or treatments, for example. like x-rays.
Regular screening can detect early signs of leukemia in cases of: parents with genetic problems, a history of cancer treatment or special medicines for children. organ transplant.
Symptoms of leukemia
Because white blood cells fight the disease, children with leukemia may have an increased risk of infection and fever. They can also become anemic leading to pale, unusually tired and shortness of breath while playing.
Children with leukemia may also have bruises and are prone to bleeding, frequent nosebleeds, unusual bleeding long after the injury, though small.




Other symptoms of leukemia may include:
- Pain in bones or joints, sometimes making babies limp
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin or other places
- Feeling unusually tired
- Picky eaters
About 12% of children with AML and 6% of children with ALL spread leukemia to the brain and cause headaches, seizures, balance problems and abnormal vision. If ALL spreads to the lymph nodes in the chest, it can surround the trachea and important blood vessels leading to breathing problems and affect blood flow to and from the heart.
Therefore, when children detect abnormal symptoms, parents should quickly take their children to the doctor to be checked for disease and early appropriate treatment..

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