Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Bone marrow produces blood cells. Leukemia can happen when there is a problem with the production of blood cells. It usually affects the leukocytes or white blood cells. Leukemia is the most common type of pediatric cancer, about one in every four cases.
signs and symptoms
- Bone and joint pain
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fever
- Weight loss
types of leukemia
Leukemia is the most prevalent type of cancer in children. The most common types of leukemia are:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Most common, 75% of all pediatric leukemia cases
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- Second most common type of pediatric leukemia
- Hybrid leukemia
- Combination of ALL and AML
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
diagnosis and treatment
- Blood test to determine complete blood count (number and type of blood cells)
- White blood cells, red blood cells and platelets numbers are not normal in leukemia patients
- One to all cell types can be abnormal
- Type of leukemia diagnosis
- Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
- Leukemia is treated by chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiation or bone marrow transplant may be needed.
