Childhood Leukemia

What is Childhood Leukemia?

Leukemia is the most common type of cancer seen in children, making up about a third of all pediatric cancers. Childhood leukemia starts in the bone marrow, where new blood cells are made.

What are the symptoms of Childhood Leukemia?

Unfortunately leukemia usually does not show its symptoms in the early stages. Signs and symptoms of childhood leukemia may include:

• Fever/infection. This occurs because the body doesn’t have enough healthy white blood cells to fight an infection.
• Frequent and serious nose bleeds and bleeding gums
• Pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Weakness and fatigue
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Bone or joint pain
• Night sweats
• Pinpoint red spots caused by bleeding under the skin
• Lumps under the skin in the groin, underarm or neck. They may be blue or purple, or may not be discolored at all.
   

How is Childhood Leukemia diagnosed? 

First step to diagnose childhood leukemia is blood investigations and bone marrow biopsy. Also, MRI, CT scan and ultrasonography may be needed to detect the damages of childhood leukemia.

What are the treatment options for Childhood Leukemia?

There are different options for the treatment of Leukemia in children. Treatment options determined by several factors such as type and stage of leukemia and age of the patient .

The common treatments used for leukemia may include:

• Bone marrow transplantation
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Biological treatments
   

Why choose Turkey for Childhood Leukemia treatment?

Turkish hospitals have remarkable experience and skill in treating childhood leukemia. A team of specially trained physicians, supported by nurses and therapists, follow the patient throughout childhood leukemia treatment.

Moreover, successful bone marrow transplantations are continuously being carried out in Turkey. Adult and pediatric bone marrow transplant centers that work with international standards are integrated to the international bone marrow banks.