Do you know leukemia affects children too? In fact, it’s the most common cancer in children and teens, usually seen in children ages between 2 to 6 years.
Globally, pediatric leukemia accounts for one-third of all cancer cases. However, leukemia in children is a rare cancer condition.
Let’s get more insights about leukemia in children, its causes & symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatments, and why to choose India for childhood leukemia treatment.
About Leukemia in Children
Leukemia is a rare cancer that produces abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is a soft and spongy tissue in certain bones, responsible for producing blood cells like red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.
When a child has leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells, especially white blood cells that are neither matured nor working properly. These abnormal cells proliferate very quickly and crowd out the healthy blood cells. This halts the bone marrow from making healthy cells.
There are different types of leukemia in children, while most of the time, leukemia is acute, meaning it can grow quickly.
Here are the most common types of leukemia in children.
- Acute lymphoblastic (or lymphocytic ) leukemia (ALL): commonly occurs leukemia in children. This accounts for 3 out of every 4 cases.
- Acute myelogenous (or myeloid, myelocytic, non-lymphocytic) leukemia (AML): The next most common type of leukemia.
Some of the rare leukemias can also affect children.
- Hybrid or mixed lineage leukemia: Combination of AML and ALL.
- Chronic myelogenous (or myeloid) leukemia (CML)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML): A rare type of leukemia that is diagnosed in very young children.
What Makes Childhood Leukemia More Likely: Causes and Risks
The exact cause of leukemia in children is unknown. There is also the possibility of passing genetic and immune system conditions that can increase the risk of leukemia. But most of the time, leukemia is not inherited.
Risk factors that can cause leukemia are unknown. However, here is a list of factors that may increase the risk of leukemia in children:
- An inherited disorder like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and Down syndrome.
- An inherited immune disorder like ataxia telangiectasia.
- If a brother or sister has leukemia, especially in twins.
- Exposure to high levels of radiation or toxic chemicals.
Symptoms of Leukemia in Children
Here are the symptoms of leukemia in children.
- Anemia
- Bone or joint pain
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Cough
- Breathing trouble
- Swelling of the arms and face
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Seizure or abnormal vision
- Brushing or bleeding
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
However, all the above symptoms are more likely to be caused by some health conditions other than leukemia. Thus, it is recommended to check those signs and symptoms with a doctor and get proper treatment.
Diagnosis For Childhood Leukemia
The doctor will first take a thorough medical history and do a physical examination. This may also include certain tests to diagnose childhood leukemia and to classify its types.
Tests to look for childhood leukemia
- Blood tests: to check the abnormal number of blood cells, like red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: To determine the type and extent of the disease.
- Lumber Puncture: To check if leukemia has spread to the central nervous system.
- Lymph node biopsy: To examine whether leukemia cells have spread to the lymphatic system.
Lab tests to diagnose and classify leukemia in children
- Microscopic examination: blood or bone marrow samples are examined under a microscope to identify leukemia cells and their characteristics.
- Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry: To identify the type of leukemia and assess its progression.
- Molecular and genetic tests: To look for specific genetic mutations and abnormalities in leukemia cells, helping to identify the type of leukemia and guide treatment decisions.
- Imaging tests may include chest x-rays, computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound.
After determining the leukemia through the above tests, the doctor will take further steps to trat leukemia in children.
Treatment for Leukemia in Children
Before starting the actual treatment, the child first needs to get treatment for low blood counts or infections. The leukemia treatment depends on various factors such as the type of leukemia, age of the children and overall health.
The treatment is started soon after the diagnosis of leukemia. Sometimes, more than 1 type of treatment is given to get better results.
Leukemia can be treated with any of the options:
Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs are used to kill or stop the growth of leukemia cells.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy radiation is used to target and destroy leukemia cells.
High-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow/stem cell transplant: This will be the ultimate cure for severe leukemia. High doses of chemotherapy are used to destroy leukemia cells in the bone marrow, followed by a bone marrow or stem cell transplant to restore healthy blood cells.
In a bone marrow transplant, the damaged or affected bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow. Healthy bone marrow can be provided either from the child’s cells (autologous) or a matched donor’s bone marrow (allogeneic).
Know more about bone marrow transplants for leukemia in India.
Targeted therapy: Drugs that specifically target and attack the genetic mutations or proteins that drive leukemia cell growth, causing less damage to healthy cells.
Immunotherapy: This treatment is given to boost or modify the body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack leukemia cells more effectively.
Supportive care: Certain medications are given to manage the expected side effects of leukemia and treatments, such as pain management, antibiotics to prevent infections and blood transfusions.
After the treatment, follow-up care is necessary to improve the outcomes and also to lessen the side effects.
Also Read:- Leukemia Treatment Cost in India
Possible Complications of Leukemia in Children
A child may have complications, either from leukemia or its treatment. The side effects of the treatment can be minor or even severe.
Possible complications of leukemia in children may include
- Infections
- Severe bleeding
- Thickened blood due to leukemia cells
Possible long-term complications, either from leukemia or its treatments, may include
- Chances of other cancer
- Relapse of leukemia
- Heart, lung, or thyroid problems
- Slow growth and development
- Hearing problems
- May have infertility issues in the future
- Bone problems
- cataracts
If you notice any of the above complications in your child, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor.
Why Choose India for Leukemia Treatment?
India is becoming an emerging destination for adult cancer care and pediatric leukemia treatment, providing world-class medical services at affordable costs.
Here are some of the key features that make India an ideal choice for your child’s leukemia treatment:
- Affordable World-Class Care
- Advanced Treatment Options
- Top Hospitals and Renowned Oncologists
- High Success Rates
- Compassionate Care
- State-of-the-Art Facilities
All the above factors make India the ideal destination for comprehensive, effective, and affordable leukemia care for your children.
Also Read:- Best Hemato-Oncologist In India
How can BMTClinic help you?
BMTClinic, a leading medical tourism company specializing in bone marrow transplants, is dedicated to providing a comprehensive, seamless treatment experience for cancer patients, including children with leukemia.
Here’s how we’ll be with you throughout your treatment:
- Access to Top Hospitals and Specialists.
- Handle all the logistics—from travel arrangements and accommodation to hospital admissions.
- Access world-class treatment at an affordable price.
- Personalized Treatment Plans.
- Affordable, High-Quality Care.
- Expert Multilingual Team.
BMTClinic ensures that your medical journey for bone marrow transplants and leukemia treatment is not only effective but also hassle-free, offering the highest standards of care in India.
FAQ’s
Q: Is leukemia in children curable?
A: Yes, leukemia in children is curable. However, the success rate of the treatment depends upon the type of leukemia and how early it is diagnosed.
Q: What is the survival rate for children with leukemia?
A: The survival rate for children with leukemia depends on several factors, including the type of leukemia, the child’s age, overall health, and how early the disease is diagnosed.
However, overall survival rates have improved significantly with advances in medical treatments and research.
Q: What is the recovery process for children after leukemia treatment?
A: Recovery can vary according to the children’s condition and treatment type, but it usually involves regular follow-up appointments to monitor for relapse, manage long-term side effects, and provide emotional and psychological support.
Q: What is the role of a stem cell transplant in treating childhood leukemia?
A: A stem cell transplant may be recommended if leukemia relapses or does not respond to chemotherapy. It involves replacing the damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells, which help restore normal blood cell production.
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