Leukemia is one of the most common cancers in childhood. Appears when the bone marrow is invaded by a large number of abnormal white blood cells called leukemic blasts and, in some cases, enters the bloodstream.
Because these abnormal blood cells are defective, they do not help protect the body against infections, as do normal white blood cells.
And because they grow uncontrollably, they take over the bone marrow and interfere with the production of other types of cells important to blood flow, as red blood cells (which carry oxygen) and platelets (which help blood clot) .
Leukemia causes problems like bleeding, anemia (low red blood cell count), bone pain and infections. You can also spread to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain and in the case of men, the testicles.
The most common types of leukemia in teens are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Virtually all persons with ALL and AML are treated with chemotherapy and some also receive stem cell transplants. During this procedure, given new stem cells from another person.
Bone marrow transplants are a common form of stem cell transplantation. Some people also receive radiation. The duration of treatment and types of medicine given will vary depending on the type of leukemia.
The chances of cure of certain types of leukemia are very good. With proper treatment, most patients with ALL and many patients with AML are cured of the disease and it does not reappear.
