Leukemia affects blood-forming cells in their early stages, predominantly impacting white blood cells in most cases, although it can affect other blood cell types as well. While symptoms of leukemia in children are similar to those in adults, they can sometimes be perplexing, as they may resemble symptoms of other conditions such as Wilms’ Tumor or neuroblastoma.
Blood cells are typically produced in the bone marrow, with white blood cells playing a vital role in fighting infections. In leukemia, the normal production of white blood cells becomes disrupted, leading to an abnormal increase in their levels. These excessive white blood cells can accumulate around healthy blood cells, impairing their normal function in the body.
Leukemia is categorized into two main types: acute and chronic, with children commonly experiencing the acute form.
Children are at a heightened risk of developing leukemia if they have a sibling with the disease, certain genetic disorders, or a history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Types of acute leukaemia in children
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) constitutes about three-fourths of all childhood leukemia cases and originates in the lymphoid cells of the bone marrow.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) encompasses the majority of childhood leukemia cases and begins in the cells responsible for forming white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets.
Hybrid or mixed lineage leukemia is a very rare type that exhibits features of both ALL and AML. Treatment for this type typically mirrors that of acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Chronic leukemia in children
Leukemia affects blood-forming cells in their early stages, primarily impacting white blood cells in most cases. However, it can also affect other types of blood cells. Childhood leukemia presents symptoms similar to those in adults, though they can sometimes be confusing. Symptoms of conditions like Wilms’ Tumor or neuroblastoma in children may resemble those of leukemia.
Blood cells are normally produced in the bone marrow, with white blood cells aiding in fighting infections. In leukemia, the production of white blood cells becomes abnormal, leading to an excessive accumulation of these cells around healthy blood cells, hindering their normal function. Leukemia is categorized into two types: acute and chronic, with children typically experiencing the acute form.
Children are at a higher risk of developing leukemia if they have a sibling with the disease, certain genetic disorders, or a history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Types of acute leukaemia in children
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) accounts for about three-fourths of all childhood leukemia cases and originates in the lymphoid cells of the bone marrow.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) encompasses most childhood leukemia cases and begins in the cells responsible for forming white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets.
Hybrid or mixed lineage leukemia, a rare type, exhibits features of both ALL and AML. Treatment for this type typically mirrors that of acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Chronic leukemia in children
There are two types of chronic leukaemia. These are rare in children. They are called Chronic Myeloid (Myelogenous) Leukaemia and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Treatment is often successful for curing childhood leukemia. It includes chemotherapy, drug therapy and radiation therapy. Bone marrow transplantation and blood stem transplantation can help in the treatment of leukaemia. There is another type of leukaemia in children called the Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). It occurs mostly in children under the age of 4 and its symptoms are pale skin, cough, fever, trouble breathing (due to increased number of white blood cells in the lungs), swollen lymph nodes and spleen.
Two types of chronic leukemia exist, though they are rare in children: Chronic Myeloid (Myelogenous) Leukemia and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Childhood leukemia is often successfully treated through chemotherapy, drug therapy, and radiation therapy. Additionally, bone marrow transplantation and blood stem transplantation can aid in treatment.
Another form of leukemia affecting children is Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). Typically occurring in children under the age of 4, its symptoms include pale skin, cough, fever, difficulty breathing (due to an increased number of white blood cells in the lungs), swollen lymph nodes, and spleen.