What is Leukemia?

Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells, which are also called leukocytes, fight against infections and other diseases. In leukemia, the bone marrow produces many abnormal white blood cells, and these abnormal white blood cells enter the bloodstream by filling the bone marrow. Unlike healthy white blood cells, these cannot protect the body from infections. Leukemia is the most common type of cancer amongst children. 

What Are The Types Of Leukemia? 

There are many different types of leukemia. The most common type in children is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, ALL for short. Less common types of childhood leukemia can be listed as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Leukemia? 

Because their white blood cells cannot fight against infections, children with leukemia may get more viral or bacterial infections compared to other children. In addition, anemia or exsanguinity is also often common. Other symptoms of leukemia are: anemia, pale appearance, pain in bones or joints, swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands) in the neck, loss of appetite, weight loss, irresolute fever, the body getting bruised easily, nosebleeds, swelling in the gums.