Leukemia—Child
by
Rebecca J. Stahl, MA DefinitionLeukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. In cancer, cells become abnormal and grow out of control. As the number of abnormal blood cells increase, the healthy blood cells are outnumbered. There are three main types of blood cells. Each has a distinct job:
Leukemia cells cannot do the job of normal blood cells. This causes many of the symptoms of leukemia. The disease starts in the bone marrow where blood cells are made. The most common types of leukemia in children are:
CausesCancer occurs when cells in the body divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. The term cancer refers to malignant growth of cells or tissue. These growths can invade nearby tissues. Cancer that has invaded nearby tissues can then spread to the blood and other parts of the body. It is not clear exactly what causes these problems in the cells, but it is probably a combination of genetics and environment. Risk FactorsFactors that may increase your child's chances of leukemia:
SymptomsLeukemia may cause:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will check for swelling of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Leukemia can be diagnosed by identifying abnormal cells in the blood. Further testing is done to identify specific details and locations of the lymphocytic cells to determine treatment. Tests include:
Imaging tests may be done to look for spreading of the tumor, infections, or injuries caused by leukemia: TreatmentSymptoms created by leukemia may need to be treated first. Treatment may include:
Treatment is determined by the specific type of leukemia cell identified by testing. Treatment may one or a combination of the treatments below: ChemotherapyChemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells. Multiple are used at the same time, in various combinations. Chemotherapy may be used alone or with other treatments like radiation therapy. Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy is directed to a specific area to kill the cancer cells. May be used during or after chemotherapy for cancer in specific locations, such as in the central nervous system. TransplantationHigh doses of radiation and/or chemotherapy can destroy immature healthy blood cells. Transplantation will help the body build healthy cells again if all bone marrow is destroyed. Transplantation may also be used in children with poor response to or inability to tolerate chemotherapy, poor-risk disease with high-risk of relapse, or after relapse. Treatment is given to remove all the existing bone marrow cells before new bone marrow or stem cells are given. Transplant options may include bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
Other Treatments
PreventionThere are no current guidelines to prevent leukemia in children because the cause is unknown. RESOURCES:American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org Leukemia & Lymphoma Society http://www.lls.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ca Provincial Health Services Authority http://www.bccancer.bc.ca References:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed...
. Updated October 13, 2017. Accessed January 8, 2018.
Childhood cancers. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers. Updated August 30, 2017. Accessed January 8, 2018. Leukemia. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed January 8, 2018. Leukemia in children. American Cancer Society website. Available at:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-in-children.html. Accessed January 8, 2018. Leukemia in children. Boston Children's Hospital website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed January 8, 2018.. Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP Last Updated: 11/9/2015 |
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