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Leukemia along with myeloma and lymphoma are expected to cause more than 58,000 deaths in U.S alone in 2018. Last year statistics from childhood leukemia society showed that in 2018 over 60,000 cases are expected to be diagnosed of Leukemia only. Although in recent years, the 5 year survival rate for leukemia patients has increased fourfold compare to 1960. However, in order to effectively combat the disease, it is necessary to diagnose it timely and have access to all the opportunities modern medicine provide.
Read the article:
Symptoms of leukemia in children
Protocols for the leukemia treatment in children
Where to treat leukemia in children?
Prognosis for leukemia in children
Testimonial about the treatment of lymphoblastic leukemia in children
SYMPTOMS OF LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN
There are 4 groups of symptoms that may indicate a child’s leukemia. The first group is related to the syndrome of intoxication: pain in the joints, headache, weakness, poor appetite, sleep disturbances, excessive sweating, fever, sudden weight loss, etc.
The second group of symptoms is associated with hemorrhagic syndrome (bleeding): hemorrhages on the skin, nosebleeds, blood in the urine, bleeding in various organs (lungs, intestines, stomach), anemia.
The third group of symptoms is associated with disturbances in the heart function: increased heart rate, arrhythmia, changes in the boundaries of the heart, damage to all parts of the heart, etc.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN WHICH PARENTS CAN NOTICE:
- Pallor skin and mucous membranes, bruises;
- Swollen lymph nodes (cervical, parotid, submandibular);
- Tachycardia;
- Enlarged liver and spleen;
- General weakness and lethargy.
Symptoms such as sudden fever, recurrent sore throats and nosebleeds are characteristic of a rapidly developing disease. If you notice these symptoms in a child, do not panic. Take a total blood count and consult a specialist, only he can make a diagnosis.
PROTOCOLS OF LEUKEMIA TREATMENT IN CHILDREN
There are several protocols for treating leukemia in children. This is due primarily to the fact that different forms of leukemia require different treatment tactics. The most common form of leukemia is acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This form of leukemia occurs in 80% of cases.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia most often affects children between 1-5 years. In addition, this form of leukemia is more common for boys.
Among the protocols for the therapy of ALL in children it is worth mentioning: ALL-REZ, IntReALL SR 2010, SCTped 2012 FORUM, EsPhALL, COALL-08-09. and others referring to pediatric chemotherapy protocols for lymphoblastic leukemia.
GRAALL-2003, COG AALL-0434, CCG-1961, CALGB 10403
Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia consists of 3 stages of chemotherapy. The stage of intensive chemotherapy takes about six months, and the total duration of therapy is up to 2 years.
Treatment of lymphoblastic leukemia in children, which consists of polychemotherapy, as well as prevention and cure of related problems, is possible in about 80-85% of cases. In 15-20% of children treatment with chemotherapy is not enough and they need bone marrow transplantation.
Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in children is more difficult. In almost half of cases, in addition to polychemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation is necessary.
WHERE TO TREAT LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN?
Parents mostly search for help abroad to cure their children. This is due to the fact that modern chemotherapy protocols are available in countries with developed medicine. However, they mainly take their children abroad for treatment due to the lack of sufficient experience in their homeland or even lack of possibility in carrying out certain types of bone marrow transplantations.
High quality results in the treatment of leukemia in children is demonstrated by Israel, Germany, Spain and Turkey. Israeli clinics show a high level of success where all types of bone marrow transplants are performed.
Whole team of specialists is engaged in treating children with leukemia in Israel: a pediatrician, a hematologist, a medical oncologist, a pediatric surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a neurologist, a psychologist and other doctors required for comprehensive care. Among the advantages of treating children with leukemia in Israel is the presence of world-renowned specialists who can provide consultation. We are talking about oncohematology in clinic Ichilov – Dr. Odelia Gur and Dr. Dror Levin.
Treatment of children leukemia in Germany has number of advantages: for example, during the passage of therapy, children can not break away from school. In addition, Germany has many university hospitals, which are actively involved in their scientific research and have made a huge step forward in bone marrow transplantation and in the general treatment of oncological blood diseases.
Turkey has shown promising results in childhood leukemia treatment as many bigger centers are involved in these types of procedures. One of the major advantage of Turkey over other countries is the cost of this procedure which is far more lower compared to Germany and Israel.
Read more about where to treat leukemia, and how much it costs, read the link …
PROGNOSIS FOR LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN
Prognosis of acute leukemia treatment in children differs depending on its form. With acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the prognosis for children under 15 years of age is 92% and 94% for children under 5 years of age.
The prognosis for other types of leukemia is reduced to 70-80%. For example, in AML in children, the five-year survival rate is 60-70%, but in its subspecies – acute promyelocytic leukemia, the survival rate exceeds 80%.
TESTIMONIAL ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN
“Our nephew was diagnosed with leukemia – ALL. Except chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor was needed. They put their choice in Germany (Essen Clinic), because, here many modern chemotherapy protocols were developed for the cure of children, and there is also a donor bank for stem cell transplantation. By the way, since this is a child, we made prepayment for the therapy. Child underwent chemotherapy and it was quite difficult, but achieved remission. The transplant was successful. Now a year has passed and results are good, he is 4 years now …”
Great article! I will share it in my facebook so that more people can know about treatment. Is there any clinic in U.S or Canada providing treatment through state funded programs?