Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and spreads into the bloodstream. Even though cancer is rare in childhood, leukemia is the most common form of cancer in children under the age of 15.
In this article, we will share all you need to know about childhood leukemia’s signs, symptoms, and treatments.
What Is Childhood Leukemia?
Childhood leukemia occurs when cancer develops in the bone marrow, the body part responsible for creating white and red blood cells. It is more common for leukemia to happen in white blood cells responsible for fighting off infections.
Leukemia can be both acute and chronic. However, most childhood leukemia is acute. In acute leukemia, the symptoms develop very quickly and require immediate treatment. Chronic leukemia is much rarer in children.
The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Leukemia
The symptoms of childhood leukemia develop quickly and usually include:
- Paleness
- Anemia
- Tiredness
- Unusual bleeding
- Unusual bruising
- Frequent infections
- Breathlessness and coughing
- Stomachache and poor appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bone and joint pain
Different Kinds of Leukemia
There are numerous types of childhood leukemia, including the following.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is more common in children under the age of 4 than in adults, but it can affect people of all ages. It is caused by an overproduction of immature lymphoid cells (white blood cells) in the bone marrow. In most cases, the symptoms of ALL develop very quickly and require urgent medical attention.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a cancer that affects myeloid cells (white blood cells). When the unhealthy cells continue to develop and healthy cells stop growing, which puts a child at an increased risk of getting infections.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a very rare form of childhood cancer with symptoms that take longer to develop. The symptoms may be very mild at the start, but as the affected cells develop in the bone marrow, the symptoms can worsen and become acute. Treatment is crucial to stop the spread of the disease.
How is Childhood Leukemia Diagnosed?
Childhood leukemia is diagnosed by initially taking a blood test. The blood test will reveal low numbers of normal white blood cells and many abnormal white blood cells. A sample of the bone marrow and a lumbar puncture may also occur to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Childhood Leukemia
Treatment will depend on the type of leukemia, with the main treatment for acute leukemia being chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves taking a mixture of chemicals and steroids that aim to kill cancerous cells and help the body create new healthy cells. With prompt treatment, the child can enter remission and may remain cancer-free for the rest of their lives.
In the case of chronic leukemia, the child will need to take special drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors to stop unhealthy cells from multiplying further, leading to the acute stage, which is often fatal in this type of leukemia.
Other treatments available include bone marrow transplants and stem cell therapy.
Need Some Advice?
A diagnosis of leukemia can be quite a shock for all the family, but the good news is that it is very rare, and modern treatment options offer a much higher survival and remission rate than in the past.
If you have any concerns or questions about childhood leukemia, call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly, board-certified pediatricians in Arvada.