Every parent should know and check for signs of leukemia. Because, checking and handling that is not fast and right can certainly be dangerous for the health of the little one. Therefore, signs of leukemia in children must be watched out for so that they can be treated early before the symptoms get worse.
Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and adolescents. It occurs when abnormal white blood cells form in the bone marrow.
These abnormal cells quickly travel through the bloodstream and crowd out healthy cells, increasing the likelihood of infection and other problems in the body.
Signs of Leukemia in Children
Specifically, other signs of leukemia to watch out for include:
1. Bone or Joint Pain
This pain is caused by the accumulation of leukemia cells near the surface of the bone or within the joints.
2. Abdominal Swelling is One of the Signs of Leukemia in Children
Swelling can occur because leukemia cells can accumulate in the liver and spleen, making them larger.
This condition may be more like swelling or bloating.
3. Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
If the spleen or liver becomes large enough, they can press on other organs such as the intestines.
This condition can make children feel full after eating even just a little.
This is what causes loss of appetite and weight loss over time.
4. Swollen Lymph Nodes
Some leukemias can spread to the lymph nodes. Swollen nodes can be seen or felt as lumps under the skin in certain areas of the body.
Various areas that are often felt are on the side of the neck, in the armpit area, above the collarbone, or in the groin.
Lymph nodes in the chest or abdomen may also swell, but can only be seen on a blood test.screening, such as a CT scan or MRI.
5. Coughing or Difficulty Breathing is Also a Sign of Leukemia in Children
Some types of leukemia can affect structures in the middle of the chest, such as the lymph nodes or the thymus (a small organ in front of the trachea, the breathing tube leading to the lungs).
An enlarged thymus or lymph nodes in the chest can press on the trachea, causing coughing or difficulty breathing.
In some cases when the white blood cell count is very high, leukemia cells can build up in the small blood vessels of the lungs which can also cause difficulty breathing.
6. Swelling of Face and Arms
A swollen face and arms can also be a sign because it is closely related to the superior vena cava (SVC).
This blood vessel carries blood from the head and arms back to the heart, passing next to the thymus.
However, an enlarged thymus can press on the SVC, causing blood to “back up” in the veins. This condition is better known as SVC syndrome, the cause of the swelling.
7. Headache, Seizures, Vomiting
In some cases, leukemia cells have also spread to the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms such as headaches, difficulty concentrating , weakness, seizures, vomiting, balance problems, and blurred vision.
8. Gum Problems are a Sign of Leukemia in Children
In children with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), leukemia cells can spread to the gums, causing swelling, pain, and bleeding.
If it spreads to the skin, it can cause small, dark spots that look like a common rash.
9. Extreme Fatigue
A rare but very serious consequence of AML is extreme fatigue. This condition can occur when the number of leukemia cells is very high.
Symptoms of Anemia Caused by Leukemia in Children
Leukemia signs are often caused by problems in a child’s bone marrow. When leukemia cells build up in the marrow, they can crowd out normal blood-cell-making cells.
As a result, a child may not have enough normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets. These deficiencies show up on blood tests, but they can also cause symptoms.
Symptoms of anemia that can also be caused by leukemia include:
- Fatigue
- Weak
- Feeling cold
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Hard to breathe
- Pale skin
Symptoms of a low white blood cell count include:
- Often have infections that seem difficult to cure or may develop gradually over time.
- Fever is often the main sign of infection. However, some children may have a fever without an infection.
Symptoms of a low blood platelet count include:
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Frequent or severe nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums.
Types of Leukemia in Children
Almost all cases of childhood leukemia are acute, meaning they progress rapidly. Only a small number of children develop chronic leukemia, which progresses slowly.
Types of childhood leukemia include:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/ALL) , also called acute lymphocytic leukemia. On average, almost all of this type of leukemia is often experienced by children.
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) . AML is the most common type of childhood leukemia after ALL.
- Hybrid or mixed lineage leukemia. This is a rare leukemia with features of ALL and AML.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia) . CML is rare in children.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) . CLL is very rare in children.
- Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia) . This is a rare type that is neither chronic nor acute and occurs most often in children under 4 years of age.
Causes of Leukemia in Children
The exact cause of childhood leukemia is unknown. There are certain conditions that are passed down from parents to children (inherited) that increase the risk of childhood leukemia.
However, most childhood leukemias are not inherited.
Researchers have discovered changes (mutations) in the genes of bone marrow cells. These changes can occur early in a child’s life or even before birth. However, they can occur by chance (sporadic).
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes most cases of childhood leukemia. But certain things can increase your chances of getting it.
However, it is important to remember that having any of these things does not mean a child will develop leukemia. In fact, most children with leukemia have no known risk factors.
Leukemia Diagnosis
To diagnose childhood leukemia, a doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. Tests are used to diagnose childhood leukemia and classify the type.
Initial tests may include:
- A blood test to measure the number of blood cells and see how they look.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, usually taken from the pelvic bone, to confirm the diagnosis of leukemia.
- Lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, to check for the spread of leukemia cells in the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.
A pathologist examines cells from a blood test under a microscope. The specialist also examines a bone marrow sample to determine the number of blood-forming cells and fat cells.
Other tests may be done to help determine what type of leukemia your child may have. These tests also help doctors know how likely the leukemia is to respond to treatment.
Certain tests may be repeated later to see how the child is responding to treatment.
Risk Factors
The risk of childhood leukemia increases if the child has:
- Congenital disorders such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Down syndrome , or Klinefelter syndrome
- Inherited immune system problems such as ataxia telangiectasia
- A brother or sister with leukemia, especially an identical twin
- History of exposure to high levels of radiation, chemotherapy, or chemicals such as benzene (a solvent)
- History of immune system suppression, such as organ transplantation.
Although the risk is small, doctors say children who have risk factors for leukemia may need to have regular screenings to catch problems early.
Conditions of Children at Risk of Leukemia
Until now, doctors still do not know exactly what causes leukemia in children.
However, experts are trying to find patterns until they finally see several risk factors that can increase a child’s chances.
The risk of leukemia in children can increase if your little one has:
- Congenital disorders such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Down syndrome, or Klinefelter syndrome.
- Inherited immune system problems such as ataxia telangiectasia.
- Having a brother or sister with leukemia, especially an identical twin .
- History of exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, or high levels of chemicals such as benzene (a solvent).
- Have a history of immune system suppression such as organ transplantation.
Leukemia Treatment in Children
Your little one may need to be treated first for low blood counts, bleeding, or infection. They may receive:
- Blood transfusion with red blood cells for low blood counts
- Blood transfusion with platelets to help stop bleeding
- Antibiotic drugs to treat any infection
Treatment will depend on the type of leukemia and other factors. Leukemia can be treated with one of the following:
1. Chemotherapy
These are drugs that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. They can be given into a vein (IV) or spinal canal, injected into a muscle, or taken by mouth.
Chemotherapy is the main treatment for most childhood leukemias. Several drugs are often given at different times.
It is usually done in cycles, with a rest period in between. This gives the child time to recover from the side effects.
2. Radiation therapy
These are high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation. They are used to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Radiation may be used in certain cases.
3. High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation
Young blood cells (stem cells) are taken from the child or from another person. This is followed by large amounts of chemotherapy drugs. This causes damage to the bone marrow. After chemotherapy, the stem cells are replaced.
4. Targeted therapy
These drugs can work when chemotherapy doesn’t. For example, they can be used to treat children with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Targeted therapies often have milder side effects.
5. Immunotherapy
This is a treatment that helps the body’s own immune system attack cancer cells.
6. Supportive care
Treatment can cause side effects. Medicines and other treatments may be used for pain, fever, infection, and nausea and vomiting.
7. Clinical trials
Ask your child’s healthcare provider if there are any treatments being tested that might work well for your child.
With any cancer, how well a child is expected to recover (prognosis) varies. Keep in mind:
- Getting immediate medical care is important for the best prognosis.
- Ongoing follow-up care during and after treatment is necessary.
- New treatments are being tested to improve outcomes and to reduce side effects.
Well, Moms should not underestimate the various symptoms mentioned above, okay? Consult a doctor immediately if your little one experiences signs of leukemia in children as mentioned.
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