Leukemia in Preschoolers

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Questions and Answers

What is the most common form of childhood leukemia?

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) (correct)

What is the characteristic of Chronic Leukemia in children?

More common in children than in adults

Develops over a slower period of time, months (correct)

Develops and worsens quickly over days to weeks

Easier to treat than Acute Leukemia

Which type of leukemia affects the lymphocytes?

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) (correct)

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

What is a characteristic of Acute Leukemia?

Develops and worsens quickly over days to weeks Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the genetic change in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)?

The promyelocytes do not mature properly Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of childhood leukemia diagnoses that is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

75-80% Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristics of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in children?

Develops slowly over months to years Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the over-production of immature WBC in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

The WBC over-produce, crowding the other blood cells in the bone marrow Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)?

The production of too many immature WBCs Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the chromosome translocation in CML?

The rearrangement of genes, leading to uncontrolled cell growth Signup and view all the answers

What is the age range of children most commonly affected by Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML)?

Under the age of 4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy in the diagnosis of leukemia?

To look for and collect leukemia cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in leukemia?

The crowding out of healthy blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Immunophenotyping and Cytogenetic Analysis in the diagnosis of leukemia?

To further determine the type of leukemia Signup and view all the answers

What is a common sign or symptom of leukemia?

Continuous weight loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common characteristic of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?

It is extremely rare in children Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Leukemia in Children

A hematological malignancy or cancer of the blood that develops in the bone marrow.
Most common childhood cancer, with two main types: Acute and Chronic.

Acute Leukemia

Develops and worsens quickly (over days to weeks).
Most common type of childhood leukemia.

Types of Acute Leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Most common form of childhood leukemia (75-80% of cases).
- Affects lymphocytes, a type of White Blood Cells (WBC) that fights infection.
- Bone marrow produces too many immature WBC that do not mature correctly.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
- Accounts for 20% of childhood leukemia cases.
- Cancer of the blood where too many myeloblasts (immature WBC) are produced in the bone marrow.
- Abnormal cells crowd out healthy blood cells and do not work properly to fight infection.
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)
- A specific type of AML.
- Promyelocytes are produced and build up in the bone marrow.
- Specific chromosome translocation (chromosome 15 and 17) prevents promyelocytes from maturing properly.

Chronic Leukemia

Develops slowly, over months to years.
Rare in children, but does occur.

Types of Chronic Leukemia

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
- Rare in children, but does occur.
- Too many immature WBC are produced, crowding out healthy blood cells.
- Chromosome translocation (chromosome 9 and 22) leads to uncontrolled cell growth.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Extremely rare in children.
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML)
- Rare, most commonly occurs in children under the age of four.
- Myelomonocytic cells are overproduced and invade the spleen, lungs, and intestines.

Signs and Symptoms of Leukemia

Continuous weight loss
Headache, persistent nausea and vomiting with or without seizure
Increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back or legs
Lump or mass (swollen lymph nodes) – abdomen, neck, chest, armpits
Development of rash, bleeding, bruises (including petechiae)
Constant / recurrent infections
Abdominal pain or fullness, which may cause shortness of breath or loss of appetite
Noticeable paleness of skin
Constant tiredness
Eye or vision changes
Recurrent or persistent fever

Causes of Leukemia

Exact cause of most cases of childhood leukemia is not known.
Most children with leukemia do not have any known risk factors.

Diagnosis of Leukemia

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy to look for and collect leukemia cells.
Immunophenotyping and Cytogenetic Analysis are performed on the cells to further determine the type of leukemia.