Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is also called lymphoblastic or lymphoid, which is found in children. In this form of the disease, the lymphocyte cell line is affected. These are white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infection. In this kind of disease, the bone marrow makes a lot of lymphocyte cells which do not mature correctly. This means there is an over production of such cells which results in creating a huge amount of blood cells within the human body. Since they do not mature correctly, they are not able to function properly. Their prime purpose of fighting infection is not served and as a result the body losses the capability to survive infections.

The Earlier the Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is detected in the body, the easier it is to cure. This is because in the early stages the cancer does not spread in different parts of the body and as a result it can be controlled and cured. The methods that are used to cure this disease include the usage of steroids, Chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Table of Contents

Abstracti

Introduction1

Discussion2

Symptoms3

Etiology4

Prognosis4

Epidemiology5

Treatment5

Chemotherapy6

Radiation therapy7

Conclusion7

Works Cited8

Bibliography9

Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Introduction

Leukemia is cancer of blood which develops in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft spongy center of bones which are responsible for producing three different kinds of blood cells in the human body. The three kinds of cells that it produces are called red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. White blood cells are responsible for fighting any kind of infection within the body. Red cells are responsible for carrying oxygen whereas platelets help with blood clotting. Platelets also help in stopping bleeding after a certain period of time.

There are three kinds of leukemia that can affect a human body. These include Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), Acute Myelogenous leukemia (AML) and Chronic Myelogenous leukemia (CML).

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is also called lymphoblastic or lymphoid, which is found in children. In this form of the disease, the lymphocyte cell line is affected. These are white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infection. In this kind of disease, the bone marrow makes a lot of lymphocyte cells which do not mature correctly. This means there is an over production of such cells which results in creating a huge amount of blood cells within the human body. Since they do not mature correctly, they are not able to function properly. Their prime purpose of fighting infection is not served and as a result the body losses the capability to survive infections (Peters 2011, pp.44-50).

Acute Myelogenous leukemia (AML) is also called granulocytic or myeloid which is also found in children. In this type of leukemia, the granulocytic cells which are also a kind of white blood cells are over produced in the marrow. These cells also have the same responsibilities as the lymphocytes, which is to fight infection but since they are overproduced and immature they also are not able to function properly. Children that have genetic syndromes such as Fanconi anemia, Bloom ...