Childhood Leukemia: from Causes to Treatments
Childhood leukemia is a type of leukemia, usually acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) that affects children. The cure rate of childhood leukemia is generally higher than adult leukemia, approaching 90%, although the side effects of treatment last into adulthood. Leukemia is often described as being either acute (growing quickly) or chronic (growing slowly). Almost all Types of Childhood Leukemia is acute. When childhood leukemia exists, the bone marrow, for an unknown reason, begins to make white blood cells that do not mature correctly, but continue to reproduce themselves. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and adolescents. However, childhood leukemia is a rare disease.
Childhood leukemia is a very taxing disease, on the caregiver and the child. The emotional distress and post traumatic stress which it causes is very deep; studies show that only 3% of parents have to deal with their child becoming severely ill.
It is common to experience stress, depression, and anxiety throughout and after cancer treatment. Many people find it helpful to talk about their feelings with family and friends, health professionals, other patients, members of the clergy, and counselors or therapists in order to manage how to face childhood leukemia.
Most childhood leukemia cases are acquired genetic diseases. Gene mutations and chromosome abnormalities in cells occur sporadically (by chance) and are not inherited from a parent. The immune system plays an important role in protecting the body from diseases, and possibly cancer. An alteration or defect in the immune system may increase the risk for developing leukemia.
With the exception of specific genetic syndromes, little is known about the Causes of Childhood Leukemia. In short, the risk factors include having a brother or sister with leukemia, having certain genetic disorders and having had radiation or chemotherapy. Treatment often cures childhood leukemia.
What Are the Signs of Childhood Leukemia?
In, childhood leukemia the abnormal white blood cells (blasts) begin to reproduce very rapidly and begin crowding out and competing for nutrients and space with the other healthy cells. The following are the most common symptoms of leukemia. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include anemia, bleeding, recurrent infection, bone and joint pain, abdominal distress, swollen lymph node, and difficult to breath. It is important to understand that the symptoms of leukemia may resemble other blood disorders or medical problems. These are common symptoms of the disease, but do not include all possible symptoms of childhood leukemia.
Childhood Leukemia Treatments
Treatment options for childhood leukemia include chemotherapy, other drug therapy and radiation. In some cases bone marrow and blood stem cell transplantation might help. Side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, as well as second malignancies, can occur in survivors of leukemia.
New methods are continually being discovered to improve treatment and to decrease side effects of the treatment for the disease. Specific Childhood Leukemia Treatment will be determined by your child’s physician based on:
o Child’s age, overall health and medical history.
o The extent of the disease.
o Your child’s tolerance for certain medications, procedures or therapies.
o Expectations for the course of the disease.
o Your opinion or preference.
Childhood leukemia, as with any cancer, Childhood Leukemia Survival Rate and prognosis can vary greatly from child to child. Prompt medical attention and aggressive therapy are important for the best prognosis. Continuous follow-up care is essential for the childhood leukemia.
