Know how to detect leukaemia at an early age in children

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• Feb 16, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

Though the cause of leukaemia is unknown, it is one of the most manageable and curable malignancies if treated properly.

Digital Desk: According to the World Health Organization, approximately 75,000 children in India are diagnosed with cancer each year (WHO). Leukemia, brain cancer, lymphomas, and solid tumours such as neuroblastomas and Wilms tumours are the most prevalent types of cancer in children.

Leukaemias are relatively common in children aged 1-4 years. Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, bone marrow, and lymphatic system that is usually found in youngsters.

"Leukemia develops when the DNA of a single cell in the bone marrow changes and fails to mature and function normally. This causes rapid and uncontrolled growth of abnormal blood cells, resulting in leukaemia " said Dr. Vikas Dua who is the Principal Director and Head of Paediatric Haematology, Haemato Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram.

This expansion affects the bone marrow, which prepares the majority of the body's blood. Exposure to radiation and chemicals and even genetic abnormalities are some of the probable risk factors contributing to the development of this type of cancer.

Though the cause of leukaemia is unknown, it is one of the most manageable and curable malignancies if treated properly.

Typically, leukaemia is treated with chemotherapy to destroy abnormal blood cells and restore the production of normal blood cells. If a child's bone marrow is destroyed by chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation may be required.

How to detect Leukaemia at an early stage?

Recognizing the symptoms of leukaemia in a child is critical for early detection.

"Symptoms such as fatigue, fever, night sweats, infections, inability to breathe, pale skin, unintentional weight loss, bone/joint pain or tenderness, pain in the left ribs, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, groyne, or stomach, an enlarged spleen or liver, bruising, and bleeding, etc. could be seen," said Dr. Dua.

The best strategy to detect these leukaemias early is to "pay attention" to any symptoms that may appear. Blood tests are the first tests used to detect leukaemia in children at an early stage.

"Blood samples are often drawn from a vein in the arm, but in newborns and younger children, they may be drawn from other veins (such as those in the feet or scalp) or via a finger stick," he explained.

TREATMENT

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and/or bone marrow transplants are used to treat childhood malignancies.

"The treatment is determined on the subtype of leukaemia diagnosed. Other important indicators such as age, overall health, and if cancer has spread to other body areas are also taken into account. Childhood cancer is curable if detected early and treated correctly "Dr. Dua emphasised this point.