Who is More at Risk for Childhood Leukemia?

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and the bone marrow by causing the bone marrow to produce excessive amounts of defective white blood cells. These defective cells crowd out healthy white blood cells and prevent the body's immune system from working properly.

Significance

• According to the Boston Children's Hospital, leukemia is the most prevalent form of cancer that affects children. Leukemia affects about 3,800 U.S. children each year.

Types

• The most common type of leukemia is acute lymphocytic leukemia. Another type of leukemia is acute myelogenous leukemia.

Considerations

• Some children may have a genetic predisposition to developing leukemia. Children with weakened immune systems as a result of viral infections and chemical poisonings may be at an increased risk of developing leukemia.

Effects

• Symptoms of leukemia include anemia, easy bleeding, easy bruising, frequent infections, joint pain, bone pain, abdominal pain and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may appear gradually or suddenly.

Treatments

• There are a number of treatments for leukemia. Leukemia is treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants.