Childhood leukemia is one of the most common types of cancer in children. With a high chance of being cured with early diagnosis and treatment, this disease usually affects the bone marrow and blood cells. The treatment process generally includes methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and sometimes stem cell transplantation.
📌 What is Childhood Leukemia?
Leukemia is a disease that occurs with the abnormal proliferation of cancer cells in the bone marrow and blood cells. Childhood leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and is usually related to the overproduction of white blood cells. Leukemia is divided into two main types: acute and chronic.
📍 Most Common Types of Leukemia in Childhood:
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL):
It is the most common type of leukemia in children. It is characterized by cancer cells that spread to the bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. If left untreated, it progresses rapidly, but it has high success rates with appropriate treatment.
Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML):
Acute myeloblastic leukemia is a type where white blood cells multiply rapidly without maturing. Although rarer, AML is also an important type of leukemia in children.
🔍 Symptoms of Childhood Leukemia:
Symptoms of leukemia usually develop quickly in children. Common symptoms may include:
Fever (of unknown cause)
Fatigue and weakness
Bruising, bleeding, or nosebleeds
Paleness and anemia
Swollen lymph nodes (armpits, neck, groin)
Bone or joint pain
Frequent infections
White sores in the mouth
🧪 Diagnostic Methods:
The following tests are usually used to diagnose leukemia:
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures the levels of blood cells, detecting anemia, infection, or low platelet levels.
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy: Performed to confirm the presence of leukemia cells.
Genetic Tests: Helps determine the type of leukemia.
Further Tests: Tests like immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry determine the type of leukemia cells.
💉 Treatment Options:
The treatment of childhood leukemia may vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. Treatment methods include:
Chemotherapy:
It is the foundation of leukemia treatment. It is a drug treatment used to kill cancer cells or stop their growth.
Radiotherapy:
Especially if leukemia has spread to areas like the brain and spinal cord, radiation therapy can be applied to these areas.
Stem Cell Transplant (Bone Marrow Transplant):
In cases where leukemia treatment is unsuccessful, transplant therapy with stem cells from a suitable donor can be used.
Immunotherapy:
Strengthens the immune system to create a more effective response against leukemia cells.
Supportive treatments:
Auxiliary treatment methods such as infection control, nutritional support, and pain management are applied.