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Childhood Leukemia(Blood Cancer in Children)
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CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA
(BLOOD CANCER IN CHILDREN)
(BLOOD CANCER IN CHILDREN)
What is childhood leukemia?
Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. However, Cancer in Children & adolescents is rare.
What happens in leukemia?
Abnormal cancer cells (also called as blast cells) accumulate in the bone marrow. They begin to crowd out the normal blood cells that develop there causing anemia, bleeding and infections. These cancer cells may also spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, joints & bones ultimately leading to death.
What are the causes of leukemia?
The cause of blood cancer still remains unknown. However, few factors have been implicated. The incidence of leukemia is high in patients.
Exposed to radiation
Exposed to Benzene, pesticides and herbicides.
Patients given Chemotherapeutic agents previously.
Exposed to infectious agents such as Ebstein Barr virus, HTLV I & II virus etc.
Patients with Bloom's syndrome
Patients with Fanconi's anemia
Patients with Down's syndrome
Patients with Klinefelter's syndrome
Patients with Wiskott - Aldrich syndrome
Patients with Ataxia Telangiectasia
How is leukemia diagnosed?
On clinical suspicion, a variety of tests are done :- blood tests, bone marrow aspiration & biopsy etc.
However, primary diagnosis is made by bone marrow examination.
However, primary diagnosis is made by bone marrow examination.
How is a patient with leukemia treated?
A patient with leukemia is essentially treated by agents that kill the abnormal cancer cells. This is done by either cancer drugs (also called as chemotherapeutic drugs or chemotherapy) or by radiation (radiotherapy).
How is chemotherapy given?
Some drugs are given intravenously and some drugs are given orally. Some chemotherapeutic agents are given as an injection in the to destroy the cancer cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
All pediatric oncology centers have treatment protocols for cancers.
All pediatric oncology centers have treatment protocols for cancers.
What are the side effects of these agents?
Since they act on rapidly dividing cells, their major toxic effects are seen on the bone marrow, GI tract, and skin and hair. Most of these agents cause nausea, vomiting, Bleeding Gums, bone marrow suppression (leading to low blood count and predisposing to infection), hair loss and diarrhea. Other specific side effects are due to particular agents.
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