Leukaemia
What Is Leukaemia?
Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells or leucocytes are produced in the bone marrow and there are four types:-
- ALL – acute lymphoblastic
- AML – acute myeloid
- CML – chronic myloid
- CLL – chroic lyphocytic
Each type of leukaemia has it’s own diagnosis and treatment. The most common type in young children (under four years) is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Approximately four hundred children each year are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK. Whilst statistics show that the number of reported case has increased five hundred per cent in the twentieth century, this could be down to increased accuracy in diagnosis and reportage.
What Is The Cause Of Leukaemia?
There is still much research to be done in this area but is is believed that leukaemia is a severe reaction, resulting from exposure to infection. Children can not catch leukaemia and there is no direct or indirect way to pass leukaemia onto another individual.
What Are The Signs That My Child May Have Leukaemia?
The body produces leukaemia at the expense of producing fewer red blood cells. As red blood cells transport oxygen around the body symptoms might include:
- tiredness and fatigue
- lethargy
- anaemia
- increased bruising
- bleeding may take longer to heal
- low immunity to other illnesses
- swollen lymph glands
- aches and pains
- general malaise
How Is Leukaemia Diagnosed?
- blood test will identify low count of normal white blood cells
- blood test will identify high count of abnormal white blood cells
- this diagnosis will be confirmed using a sample of bone marrow
- spinal fluid sample will be tested to see if it contains leukaemia cells
- X-Ray will identify any enlarged glands in the chest
How Is Leukaemia Treated?
In order to enable the bone marrow to start producing normal blood cells again, the leukaemia cells need to be destroyed. Treatment may include chemotherapy and/or drugs, other options include:-
- Induction – intensive four to six week treatment. Bone marrow is taken at the end of the session to see if the condition is in remission
- Intensifiction – Intensive chemotherapy drugs, usually given in three batches to kill of any remaining leukaemic cells
- Continuing treatment – long term treatment lasting a couple of years, incorporating daily tablets and monthly injections of chemotherapy
- Bone Marrow treatment – only offered to children with ALL after a course of chemotherapy
- Follow up treatment – most cases of ALL are cured. If leukaemia does return in will usually do so within three years. Most children who have had leukaemia will grow and develop normally.
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