Leukemias in Children

Childhood cancers are rare but an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children younger than 15 y of age. Common childhood malignancies include leukemias (commonest, 30-40%), brain tumors (20%) and lymphoma (12%) followed by neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma and tumors arising from soft tissues, bones and gonads. Leukemias, the commonest childhood cancer, arise from clonal proliferation of abnormal hematopoietic cells leading to disruption of normal marrow function and marrow failure. The various clinical manifestations of leukemia result from unregulated proliferation of the malignant clone and bone marrow failure. There are two main subtypes, the commoner, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A small proportion may have chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). A systematic approach is necessary for diagnosis. Treatment should be initiated as early as possible to avoid complications. A timely referral to a cancer center must be done if facilities for diagnosis/treatment, management of complications and provision for supportive care are not available at the treating center.