Childhood Leukemia

Childhood leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow of children. It occurs when there is an abnormal growth of immature white blood cells, known as blasts, which crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow.

Types of Childhood Leukemia

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): This is the most common type of childhood leukemia, accounting for about 80% of cases. It occurs when there is an abnormal growth of lymphoid cells in the bone marrow.
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): This type of leukemia accounts for about 20% of childhood leukemia cases and occurs when there is an abnormal growth of myeloid cells in the bone marrow.
• Chronic Leukemias: These are rare types of leukemia that progress slowly over time, including Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

Symptoms of Childhood Leukemia

Common symptoms of childhood leukemia include:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Pain in the bones or joints
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever
• Weight loss

Causes and Risk Factors of Childhood Leukemia

The exact cause of childhood leukemia is not known, but certain risk factors have been identified, including:

• Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome
• Exposure to radiation
• Family history of leukemia
• Certain genetic mutations
• Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Leukemia

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging studies. Treatment options may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy

Prognosis and Outlook for Childhood Leukemia

The prognosis for childhood leukemia has improved significantly over the years, with current cure rates ranging from 80% to 90% for certain types of leukemia. However, the outlook depends on various factors, including the type of leukemia, age at diagnosis, and response to treatment.