The collective term leukemia covers all malignant diseases of the lymphatic or hematopoietic system. Leukemia is one of the most common forms of cancer in children. Almost 600 children are diagnosed with leukemia in Germany every year. Depending on the course of the disease, doctors differentiate between acute and chronic leukemia.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for leukemia in children.
Leukemia is a malignant cancer of the lymphatic and hematopoietic system. It is characterized by the presence of dysfunctional precursors of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood.
These leukemia cells spread to the bone marrow and other organs such as the spleen, liver and lymph nodes. Due to a disorder of blood formation in the bone marrow, there are more white blood cells and fewer red blood cells.
The most important forms of leukemia are
The types of leukemia typically occur in different age groups:
Most children and adolescents develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) @ ratatosk /AdobeStockThe exact causes of this malignant disease are still largely unknown. Genetic factors appear to play a role. Patients suffering from trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), for example, have up to a twenty-fold increased risk of developing the disease.
Environmental factors could also influence the development of leukemia in children. Frequent contact with both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is being discussed as a risk factor.
The liquid organic compound benzene could also be a possible trigger. Virus infections as a disease-promoting factor, on the other hand, are controversial.
The signs of leukemia can vary greatly depending on the form.
Acute myeloid leukemia is caused by a degeneration of the hematopoietic system. The part of the system that produces white and red blood cells is affected.
There is a strong proliferation of immature cell precursors and in many cases an excess of white blood cells (leukocytosis).
Normal hematopoiesis is therefore no longer possible. This results in a lack of red blood cells, platelets (thrombocytes) and functional granulocytes.
Granulocytes are leukocytes, which are scavenger cells and can absorb and destroy pathogens.
The affected children suffer from typical anemia symptoms due to the lack of erythrocytes:
Due to the platelet deficiency, there is an increased tendency to bleed, which is manifested by
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Children with leukemia quickly get bruises or nosebleeds because blood clotting no longer works properly @ KMPZZZ /AdobeStockPatients also lack functioning white blood cells. This severely restricts their defense against infections. This results in serious infections such as pneumonia or tonsillitis.
Inflammation of the oral mucosa and fungal infections of the mouth are also common. The spleen and lymph nodes tend to be moderately swollen.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia develops from malignantly degenerated precursor cells of the lymphocytes. The bone marrow function of those affected declines very quickly (bone marrow insufficiency).
This results in a lack of red blood cells and platelets.
As with AML, the children suffer from
The relative lack of functional leukocytes results in a weakening of the immune system. This leads to life-threatening infections.
In ALL, the liver, spleen and lymph nodes are often swollen. More than half of patients suffer from fever.
In children, bone pain is often the first symptom of the disease. However, these are often misdiagnosed as growing pains. Chronic leukemia, which only occurs in exceptional cases in children, progresses much more slowly.
The therapy depends primarily on the type of leukemia. Children with ALL are usually treated with chemotherapy immediately after diagnosis.
This involves the use of drugs that inhibit cell growth (cytostatics). As a rule, various cytostatic drugs are combined with each other in order to achieve the greatest possible effect.
Patients in whom the leukemia cells have penetrated the central nervous system also receive CNS radiation. This prevents the leukemia from recurring later on.
The usual chemotherapeutic agents do not reach these cells due to the filter function of the so-called blood-brain barrier.
In some cases, a bone marrow or stem cell transplant may also be necessary. Depending on the course of the disease, the stem cells may come from the patient themselves or from a stem cell donor.
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia also receive intensive chemotherapy.
The aim of the treatment is
This therapy reduces the number of white blood cells to such an extent that there is an increased risk of infection for patients. It is therefore compulsory to wear a face mask when dealing with patients.
