Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow cells. In children, while it’s less common than Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), AML makes up about 15-20% of childhood leukaemias.
It originates in the myeloid cells, which normally develop into the various types of mature blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. When a child has AML, the myeloid cells mutate and become leukemic cells, which are unable to function properly. Over time, they crowd out the healthy cells in the bone marrow leading to a lack of adequate functioning blood cells, which can then cause a variety of symptoms.
Symptoms of AML can vary but may include fatigue, fever, frequent infections, bleeding or bruising easily, bone and joint pain, weight loss, etc.
Treatment usually involves a combination of chemotherapy to kill the leukemic cells and supportive care to manage symptoms and complications. Some children might require a bone marrow (or stem cell) transplant to replace their diseased bone marrow with healthy ones.
Prognosis depends on several factors, including the child’s age, the subtype of AML, and the genetic changes in the leukemic cells. Overall, more than half of children with AML will achieve long-term remission with appropriate therapy, although some may experience a relapse and would then require further treatment.
Causes of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of cancer that starts from cells in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made). The causes of AML in children are not fully understood, but several factors can influence its development.
1. Genetic factors: Some children are born with certain genetic changes or syndromes that make them more likely to develop AML. These include Down’s syndrome, Fanconi anemia, and neurofibromatosis.
2. Exposure to radiation: High levels of radiation, such as those caused by nuclear accidents or radiotherapy for another cancer, can increase the risk of developing AML.
3. Previous cancer treatment: Some drugs used to treat other types of cancer can damage the DNA of cells, which can lead to AML.
4. Certain blood disorders: Some blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, can increase the risk of AML.
5. Environmental factors: There is some evidence that exposure to certain chemicals, like benzene, can raise AML risk but this is less common for children.
6. Age: AML is most common in older adults, but a second peak occurs in infants younger than 1 year.
Please note that having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that a child will develop AML. Likewise, a child can develop AML without any of these risk factors. Scientists continue to study the causes of pediatric AML to learn more about how to prevent and treat it.
Risk Factors of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a rare type of cancer that affects the bone marrow. It’s more common in adults than in children. However, when it occurs in children, certain factors can increase the risk.
1. Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic disorders like Down syndrome significantly increase the risk.
2. Previous Cancer Treatment: Children who’ve had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation may have a higher risk of developing AML later.
3. Exposure to Radiation: Exposure to high levels of radiation is a proven risk factor for AML.
4. Family History: Although it’s uncommon, some forms of AML seem to run in families, implying there may be a genetic component to the disease.
5. Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain chemicals (like benzene) can increase the risk of AML, although this is more relevant for adults with occupational exposure.
6. Certain Blood Disorders: Conditions like myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative disorders can increase the risk of developing AML.
It’s crucial to remember than having one or more risk factors does not mean a child will definitely get the disease. Many children with AML have no known risk factors. As the parent or caregiver, if you have specific concerns about your child’s risk for AML, you should discuss them with a doctor.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets. It can affect both adults and children, with certain symptoms and signs. Here are the common signs and symptoms of AML in children:
1. Fatigue and Weakness: This is due to lack of red blood cells, causing anemia and resulting in excessive tiredness and limited ability to partake in physical activities.
2. Fever or Recurrent Infections: Children with AML may get zapped with consistent fever or keep on grappling with infections. This is because leukemia cells may crowd out normal white blood cells which fight against infections.
3. Easy Bleeding or Bruising: AML affects the production of platelets, which help in blood clotting. Thus, children may bleed more easily, might have prolonged bleeding from minor cuts, or may experience nosebleeds, bloody gums, or extremely heavy menstrual flow (for adolescents).
4. Pain in Bones or Joints: With the growth of leukemia cells in the bone marrow, the child might feel pain in bones and joints.
5. Breathlessness or Pallor: Reduced red blood cells can result in a lack of oxygen, causing breathlessness. In addition, skin, gums, and the lower eyelids may appear less red than normal due to anemia.
6. Unexplained Weight Loss: Children may lose weight without any obvious cause.
7. Swollen Gums: This can be peculiar to AML. Gums become swollen, inflamed, and may bleed.
8. Swollen Belly: Leukemia cells might collect in the liver and spleen causing them to enlarge, resulting in a swollen belly.
9. Rash or Lump on Skin: Leukemia cells might infiltrate the skin, causing lumps or rashes.
10. Swollen Lymph Nodes: Under normal conditions, lymph nodes produce immune cells. However, AML may cause lymph nodes to swell.
Not all children have all these symptoms. Also, these symptoms can be due to conditions other than leukemia. So, parents should always consult healthcare professionals if they notice any changes in their children’s health.
Diagnosis Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in children is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is called acute because it progresses quickly and requires immediate treatment, and myeloid because it affects a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells which perform various functions such as fighting bacterial infections, inflammation and other immune responses.
The bone marrow produces abnormally large numbers of immature white blood cells (called myeloblasts or leukaemic blasts) in a child with AML. These abnormal cells crowd out the healthy cells and prevent the bone marrow from performing its tasks properly.
Symptoms of AML in children can include fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, and bone or joint pain. Diagnosis typically involves a series of blood tests, bone marrow tests, and occasionally genetic testing.
The cause of most cases of AML in children is usually unknown, but it’s believed that certain genetic mutations might increase the risk. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy and can also include radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, or targeted therapy drugs.
Remember, it’s a serious condition, but treatment has considerably improved over the years, and many children with AML can be cured. Regular follow-ups are important to monitor for any potential relapse or late effects of treatment.
Treatment of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a serious and complex disease, so the treatment involves several stages and varies depending on the child’s health condition, age, and subtype of leukemia. Here’s a general outline of the treatment program:
1. Induction Therapy: It’s the first phase of treatment aimed to kill leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow and bring blood counts to normal. This usually involves a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Some children might need targeted therapy depending upon the cellular abnormalities.
2. Consolidation (Intensification) Therapy: Once remission is achieved, this phase begins. Its purpose is to kill any residual disease in the body. It typically involves high-dose chemotherapy, often with several drugs, and may also involve radiation therapy.
3. Stem Cell Transplantation: In higher-risk cases or if the disease recurs, a stem cell transplant (also known as a bone marrow transplant) could be considered. It involves destroying leukemia cells and normal bone marrow and immune system cells with high-dose chemotherapy, then replacing them with healthy donor stem cells that rebuild the immune system and produce new blood cells.
Supportive care is an essential part of the therapeutic plan. This includes antibiotics to prevent or treat infections, medications to control treatment side effects, transfusions of red blood cells and platelets to help with fatigue or excessive bruising and bleeding, and nutritional support.
Psychological support including counseling, support groups, and other resources can also help patients and their families cope with the diagnosis and treatment process.
Repeated tests, such as bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, blood tests, lumbar puncture, etc., are done throughout the course of the treatment to keep a check on the effectiveness of the treatment and detect any early signs of relapse.
Please note that this is a brief summary of the treatment options, the treatment protocols can vary from patient to patient and consulting with a healthcare provider is a must for the management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in children.
Medications commonly used for Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is often treated with a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy in children. Here’s an overview of some of the most commonly used medications:
1. Cytarabine (Cytosar): This is one of the main drugs used for AML treatment in children. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, slowing down their multiplication.
2. Doxorubicin (Adriamycin): This is also a chemotherapy drug often used for treatment. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells by blocking certain enzymes and slowing DNA replication.
3. Daunorubicin (Cerubidine): Similar to doxorubicin, this drug interferes with the growth of cancer cells and it’s often used in the first stages of treatment (induction therapy).
4. Etoposide (Etopophos, VP-16): This drug also interferes with the growth of cancer cells. It can be used in induction, consolidation, or intensification therapy based on the need.
5. Mitoxantrone (Novantrone): This drug can damage the DNA of the cancer cell, leading to cell death.
Targeted therapies such as midostaurin (Rydapt) and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) may also be used, especially for specific types of AML. These therapies are designed to specifically target cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.
Stem cell transplant might be considered after chemotherapy in certain circumstances.
It’s important to remember that every patient’s treatment plan is unique and tailored to their specific situation and general health. The medications used can have severe side-effects and therefore the risk-benefit ratio needs to be critically evaluated by a healthcare professional. Always consult the doctor or healthcare professional for appropriate treatment advice.
Prevention of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood cells and there’s little that can be done to prevent it, regardless of the age of the patient. The causes of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are largely unknown, but several factors are known to increase the risk. The impact of these risk factors in children can be even less clear. However, there are some general measures that could arguably reduce the risk or help in early diagnosis:
1. Avoid Exposure to Radiation and Certain Chemicals: Exposure to high levels of radiation and some chemicals such as benzene (found in gasoline, tobacco smoke, chemical manufacturing, etc.) are linked with a higher risk of getting AML. Being cautious about these exposures may help.
2. Healthy Lifestyle: Encouraging general healthy habits in your child is beneficial. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity and a balanced diet.
3. Regular Health Checkups: Regular medical checkups can help monitor your child’s general health and detect any early signs of health irregularities.
4. Genetic Counseling: If there is a family history of AML, genetic counseling may help to understand the risk, though it should be noted this is a very minor cause of AML.
5. Monitoring Treatments: Certain treatments for other diseases, e.g., certain chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer, are known to slightly increase the risk of AML. If your child receives these treatments, their health should be carefully monitored.
However, these measures do not guarantee the prevention of AML, since the vast majority of children with AML do not have any of these known risk factors, with the exception of prior chemotherapy or radiation. It is also important to stress the significance of early detection. Prompt diagnosis leads to immediate treatment which can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment of AML.
Please consult a healthcare professional if you suspect any health problems in your child, who can provide medical advice, diagnoses, treatments based on the child’s health condition.
FAQ’s about Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It’s somewhat rare in children, but it can be serious. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about AML in children:
1. What is acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)?
AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It affects the myeloid cells, which normally develop into the various types of mature blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets.
2. What causes AML in children?
The exact cause of AML in children is not known. Sometimes it may be related to genetic or environmental factors, but in many cases, the cause simply isn’t understood.
3. What are the symptoms of AML in children?
Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, recurrent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, bone or joint pain, and weight loss. However, these symptoms are not exclusive to AML, and diagnosis usually requires tests and an evaluation by a doctor.
4. How is AML in children diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually involves blood tests, a bone marrow test, and sometimes genetic or molecular tests on the blood or bone marrow cells.
5. What is the treatment for AML in children?
Treatment generally involves chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells, and sometimes targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or a stem cell transplant. The specific treatment depends largely on the subtype of AML and the child’s overall health.
6. What is the prognosis for children with AML?
Prognosis can vary widely and depends on several factors, such as the subtype of AML, the child’s age and general health, and how well the cancer responds to treatment.
7. How can I support my child during treatment?
Excellent supportive care, including adequate nutrition, managing side-effects, emotional support, and staying involved in normal daily routines as much as possible, can make a significant difference in your child’s experience.
Remember, it is crucial always to seek the advice of medical professionals for an understanding of your child’s specific case.
Useful links
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in children is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. This illness is characterized by an abnormal increase in white blood cells or leukocytes in a child’s body. While it is a challenging condition, medical advancements are improving outcomes for children affected.
Here are some useful links to journals and articles about acute myeloid leukaemia in children:
Do note that while these resources provide valuable information, always consult with medical professionals for personalized medical advice.
Complications of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a serious and rare illness especially in children. It is a type of blood cancer characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal cells in a child’s marrow and blood. Following are some of the possible complications that can arise from this condition:
1. Infections: Children with AML have an increased risk of infections because their immune system is weakened. This is partly because the leukaemia cells take up more space in the bone marrow, leaving less room for the white blood cells that fight infections.
2. Anemia: AML can lead to anemia which results from a shortage of red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
3. Bleeding: A shortage of platelets, which help the blood to clot, can lead to excessive bleeding and bruising. Children with AML might bleed for a longer duration even after minor injuries.
4. Organ dysfunction: As AML progresses, leukemia cells can invade organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart, impairing their functions.
5. Treatment complications: While it’s necessary to treat AML aggressively, the chemotherapy drugs used can have serious side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fertility issues and greater susceptibility to infections.
6. Treatment complications like heart damage, growth problems: Much less often, other long-term risks of chemotherapy include heart damage (from a drug called doxorubicin), growth problems, and an increased risk of other cancers later on.
7. Psychological distress: A diagnosis of AML can cause significant distress for the child and their family. Child may experience anxiety, fear and mood swings.
8. Relapse: In some cases, even after successful treatment, the leukemia can come back; this is called a relapse and it’s one of the most serious complications of AML.
Regular monitoring and timely intervention can manage these complications. The medical team will plan the best course of action depending on the stage, subtype of the disease, and overall health of the child.
Home remedies of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Children
Acute myeloid leukemia is a serious condition of cancer that affects the bone marrow and the blood. It would be dangerous and irresponsible to suggest home remedies for such a severe illness. This condition should be addressed with appropriate medical treatment suggested by qualified healthcare professionals such as pediatric oncologists. Treatment often includes chemotherapy, medication, and in some cases, stem cell transplants.
However, while undergoing medical treatment, there are certain aspects of your child’s care that you can assist with, which can contribute to overall wellbeing:
1. Balanced Diet: Eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains will help provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients.
2. Adequate Rest: Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep to help their body rejuvenate and fight off infection.
3. Exercise: Encourage your child to have light physical activity, if they use to do locker and feel active. This could help speed up recovery. It’s also important to check with their medical team before doing so.
4. Emotional Support: Be open to discuss your child’s fears or worries about the disease or treatment, seek professional help if required.
5. Hydration: Ensure they drink plenty of fluids to help keep their body functioning properly.
6. Regular doctor visits: Ensure regular check-ups and follow up with their doctor to keep track of their progress.
Involving a certified dietician, physiotherapist or a mental health counselor could also help the child cope with the disease in a better way. Always consult with your healthcare team before initiating or changing your current treatment plan. They can guide you based on your child’s specific needs.