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Leukemia: Types, Symptoms, And Early Warning Signs - Medindia
Discover the different types of leukemia, their symptoms, and early warning signs. Recognize and seek timely medical attention for this blood cancer. Highlights:
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Recognizing Leukemia Symptoms Leukemia symptoms can vary depending on the type of leukemia, and they may go unnoticed if not closely monitored. Pediatricians need to be vigilant and maintain a high level of suspicion when evaluating children. Common signs and symptoms of leukemia include (1✔ ✔Trusted SourceAbout LeukemiaGo to source):Advertisement
Noticing Other Indications of Leukemia In addition to the above symptoms, other signs may raise suspicion of leukemia:Advertisement
Early Detection and Timely Intervention for Leukemia Early detection plays a crucial role in the successful management of leukemia. Regular check-ups and awareness of the symptoms can aid in identifying the disease at an early stage, improving treatment outcomes. If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms or have concerns about your health, consult a medical professional for a thorough evaluation and necessary interventions.Remember, the information provided here is for educational purposes only, and it is always recommended to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance tailored to your specific situation.
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Leukemia: Types, Symptoms And Treatment - Live Science
Leukemia is cancer of white blood cells that starts in the bone marrow, the soft material in the center of bones that makes white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
The abnormal white blood cells in leukemia are genetically identical. They proliferate and eventually outnumber normal blood cells, interrupting their work.
"In the blood can be such a high count of white blood cells present that it can start causing problems in the circulation. In the bone marrow, the leukemic cells overtake the bone marrow and suppress the formation of the normal blood components," said Dr. Sarah Vaiselbuh, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Staten Island University Hospital in New York.
You may likeAs a result, "at the time of diagnosis these children or adults are often anemic and need transfusion," Vaiselbuh said. "They have very low platelet counts and are at risk of bleeding, and most importantly, their normal blood cells are no longer produced in adequate numbers, so they can't fight infection."
About 52,400 new diagnoses of leukemia are expected in the United States in 2014, and it is estimated that about 24,000 people will die of this cancer in 2014, according to the National Cancer Institute. In 2011, there were an estimated 302,800 people living with leukemia in the United States, but new leukemia cases constitute about 3 percent of all new cancer cases each year.
In children, leukemia is the most common type of cancer, but more adults get diagnosed with leukemia, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). In 2011, about nine children per 100,000 children ages 1-4 were diagnosed with leukemia.
Survival rates for leukemia have remarkably improved over the past decades. Considering all types of leukemia in both children and adults together, in 1963, the five-year survival rate (five years after the end of treatment), was only 14 percent. But a 2009 study has found that this survival rate is now up to 59 percent, Vaiselbuh said. The progress shows the importance of continued support for leukemia research, she said.
Types of leukemiaThere are four categories of leukemia based on how quickly the disease progresses (acute or chronic), and the kind of white blood cell that is affected (myeloid cells or lymphoid cells):
Different types of leukemia affect different types of patients. For example, both chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) affect mostly adults, according to the National Cancer Institute. Sometimes patients may not even have symptoms and discover they have leukemia when a routine blood test shows a very high count of white blood cells, Vaiselbuh said.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type in young children, and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurs in both adults and children.
SymptomsInitial symptoms of leukemia mimic those of several other conditions, including the flu, and can be easy to overlook. According to the LLS, common symptoms include:
Leukemia is often diagnosed when a patient's blood test shows signs of the disease and prompts additional testing.
For example, when a child with symptoms like unexplained fevers or bruises on the skin is taken to a pediatrician, the doctor will do a blood count test and may found very high white blood cells, which suggest the child might have leukemia. To confirm the diagnoses, doctors will do a biopsy of the bone marrow to look for abnormal cells, Vaiselbuh said.
TreatmentTreatment for leukemia depends on the type of leukemia and other factors such as the patient's age, white blood cell count and genetics of the cancer.
The main treatment is chemotherapy, which involves injecting a combination of drugs in the blood and sometimes in the spinal fluid.
If patient's cancer comes back after chemotherapy, doctors may consider bone marrow transplantation. They will screen the patient's sibling or the bone marrow register to find a donor who matches with the patient, Vaiselbuh said. A bone marrow transplantation replaces the diseased bone marrow by the healthy bone marrow of the donor to eradicate the disease, Vaiselbuh said.
Additional treatments may involve radiation therapy and immunotherapy, according to the American Cancer Society.
In chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, scientists have identified a genetic mutation involved in the disease. A drug has been developed that specifically targets the mutation and by taking the medication daily, the cancer can be kept under control, Vaiselbuh said.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL, is the most common leukemia in children and has the highest survival rates — more than 90 percent for children under 5 years old and 66.4 percent for patients of all ages, according to the National Cancer Institute.
PreventionThere is no known way to prevent most types of leukemia, especially among children, according to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. People who have been treated for another cancer with radiation and chemotherapy, or those who are taking drugs that suppress the immune system, as well as people with certain genetic conditions such as Down's syndrome are at higher risk of developing acute leukemia, according to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention.
Additional resourcesThe Childhood Leukemia Signs Every Parent Should Know
Every parent knows that feeling. Your child seems a little off. Not quite themselves. Maybe they're more tired than usual or have a bruise that appeared out of nowhere. Most of the time, it's nothing serious. A growth spurt. A playground mishap. The usual childhood ups and downs.
But sometimes, these subtle changes can signal something more serious. Childhood leukemia often begins with symptoms so common they're easy to brush off as everyday kid stuff. That's what makes this disease particularly tricky to catch in its earliest stages.
Let's be clear. Childhood leukemia is rare. The odds of your child developing it are extremely low. But knowing the warning signs could make all the difference in getting early treatment if your child is one of the approximately 3,000 kids diagnosed each year.
The fatigue that doesn't make senseKids have endless energy. Until they don't. Every parent expects their child to crash after a busy day of playing. But when a previously energetic child starts taking unexpected naps, seems winded after minimal activity, or keeps asking to be carried when they normally love running ahead, it's worth paying attention.
Leukemia affects the body's ability to produce normal blood cells. With fewer healthy red blood cells carrying oxygen, children experience fatigue that doesn't match their activity level and doesn't improve with extra rest.
What makes this symptom especially tricky is that kids aren't always great at expressing how they feel. Instead of saying "I'm tired," they might become cranky, lose interest in favorite activities, or suddenly want to skip playdates or sports they usually enjoy.
The paleness that makeup can't fixThat rosy glow of childhood isn't just cute. It's a sign of good health. When leukemia reduces red blood cell counts, one of the first visible signs is unusual paleness that doesn't go away.
This isn't the temporary paleness that comes with a cold or flu. It persists for weeks and often appears first in places you might not immediately notice. Check the gums, the inside of the lips, and the inside of the lower eyelids. These areas should be pink and vibrant. If they look pale or whitish, it could indicate anemia, which is common with leukemia.
Many parents report that this paleness was so gradual they didn't notice until looking back at photos taken weeks apart and seeing the difference. Trust your instincts if your child suddenly looks washed out or lacks their usual healthy color.
The bruises with no explanationKids get bruises. They bump into things, fall off bikes, and tackle playground equipment with more enthusiasm than coordination. A certain amount of bruising is normal childhood wear and tear.
What's not normal is bruising that appears without any remembered injury, especially in unusual places. Leukemia interferes with platelet production, which means even minor bumps that wouldn't normally leave a mark can cause significant bruising.
Pay particular attention to bruises on the torso, back, or face when there's no clear cause. Also notice if typical childhood injuries seem to cause bigger bruises than expected or if bruises take an unusually long time to heal.
The fevers that keep coming backChildhood is a parade of minor illnesses. The average young child gets six to eight colds annually, each potentially causing a low-grade fever. But fevers that come and go with no other cold symptoms might signal something else.
Leukemia can cause periodic fevers because the abnormal white blood cells disrupt the body's immune system. These fevers often follow a pattern. They appear for a few days, disappear without treatment, then return a week or two later.
What makes these fevers distinctive is their mysterious nature. There's no cough, no runny nose, no ear tugging or other signs of typical childhood infections. Just the fever appearing and disappearing like an unwelcome visitor.
The aches that move around"Growing pains" are a convenient explanation for childhood aches. But pain from leukemia has distinctive characteristics that set it apart from typical growing pains.
Leukemia can cause bone and joint pain because the bone marrow becomes overcrowded with abnormal white blood cells. This pain often concentrates in the legs, especially at night, but can appear in the arms, ribs, or sternum as well.
Unlike growing pains, which typically affect both legs equally, leukemia pain may affect just one limb or move from place to place. It might wake a child from sleep or cause limping, especially in the morning.
The infections that won't quitChildren with healthy immune systems bounce back quickly from most infections. But leukemia compromises the immune system by producing abnormal white blood cells that can't fight infection effectively.
Watch for infections that linger far longer than expected or common illnesses that seem unusually severe. A cold that hangs on for weeks, a minor cut that becomes infected despite proper care, or recurrent strep throat can all signal an immune system that's not functioning properly.
Also pay attention if your child seems to catch every bug going around or if they're always the last one to recover when illness sweeps through a classroom. While this could simply mean they have a slightly weaker immune system, persistent patterns deserve medical attention.
The belly that suddenly expandsA protruding belly on a small child is often perfectly normal. But a sudden change in abdominal size or comfort deserves attention, especially when combined with other symptoms.
Leukemia cells can accumulate in the liver and spleen, causing these organs to enlarge. This creates abdominal discomfort, a feeling of fullness after eating very little, or visible swelling in the upper left side of the abdomen where the spleen is located.
Children might not complain specifically about stomach pain but might start refusing meals, claiming they're "full" after just a few bites, or developing new pickiness about previously enjoyed foods.
What to do if you notice these signsFirst, take a deep breath. Most children with these symptoms don't have leukemia. These signs overlap with many common childhood conditions.
That said, trust your parental instinct. You know your child better than anyone. If something feels off, it's always appropriate to seek medical evaluation. Keep a simple symptom diary noting when you observe concerning signs. This can help your doctor spot patterns that might otherwise be missed.
When you visit your pediatrician, be specific about what you've observed rather than suggesting a diagnosis. "She's been more tired than usual for three weeks and has developed bruises on her back with no clear injuries" provides more useful information than expressing your worst fears.
Don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if symptoms persist despite reassurance. Most pediatricians are excellent at catching serious illness, but even the best doctor can miss subtle signs, especially during a quick sick visit.
The power of early detectionThe good news is that childhood leukemia, when caught early, has excellent treatment outcomes. Modern medicine has transformed what was once a devastating diagnosis into a highly treatable condition with survival rates approaching 90% for the most common types.
Being vigilant doesn't mean becoming paranoid. It means knowing what's normal for your child and noticing persistent changes. It means trusting yourself to advocate for thorough medical evaluation when something doesn't seem right.
Because sometimes, catching those subtle early warning signs isn't just about peace of mind. It could be the difference that leads to early intervention when it matters most.
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