Childhood leukaemia

Childhood Leukaemia

Leukaemia is cancer of the blood cells. Our bone marrow, which acts as a blood cell factory, produces three types of blood cells - red cells, white cells and platelets. In leukaemia, excessive numbers of abnormal white cells are produced, which block normal blood cell production, and then spill out into the circulation to invade other organs such as liver, spleen, lymph glands, testes and brain.

Over 5,000 new cases of childhood leukaemia appear each year. The three main types of leukaemia which affect children are:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia The commonest kind, affecting the under 7's.

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia The type which affected Gary Lineker's son at the age of 8 weeks

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Affects only about 20 children each year.

Symptoms

Earliest signs include:

*Tiredness and pallor. Any child complaining of tiredness must be medically examined!

*Nose bleeds, bleeding gums, and bruising very easily.

*Swollen glands in the neck, groin and armpits.

*Recurring infections of the chest, throat and skin

*Bone and joint pains also occur.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is confirmed by blood and bone marrow tests. Referral to the nearest regional children's cancer treatment centre is vital, even if some distance away, as such specialised centres increase chances of survival.

Treatment

Treatment, chemotherapy, kills off the cancerous blood cells, but can cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and total loss of hair. Although distressing for child and family, the end result is worth it. About 90% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and 75% of children with other leukaemias are brought under control. If not totally cured, they need regular hospital follow ups. Some may need chemotherapy top ups to control the disease.

Bone marrow transplants offer long term cures to these children, but there is a severe shortage of donors. Do you want to bring hope and happiness into a child's life? Then register as a bone marrow donor.

More information can be found at:

Leukaemia Research Fund: http://www.lrf.org.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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