Childhood Leukemia
Who Gets Leukemia?
Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer. Each year in the United States, approximately 4,100 children and teens are diagnosed with leukemia. Childhood leukemia is most commonly diagnosed in children ages 2 to 5. In the United States, leukemia is more common in white children than black children, but the incidence is highest in Hispanic children. Boys develop leukemia more often than girls. Children with certain genetic syndromes also have a higher risk of developing some types of leukemia than children who do not have these genetic syndromes.
Leukemia is not contagious; it cannot be passed from one person to another. Although the exact cause of childhood leukemia is a mystery, certain environmental or genetic factors may increase a child’s risk of developing the disease. These factors are discussed in the next four chapters.
Table of Contents
All Guides- Introduction
- 1. Diagnosis
- 2. Overview of Childhood Leukemia
- 3. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- 4. Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- 5. Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
- 6. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
- 7. Telling Your Child and Others
- 8. Choosing a Treatment
- 9. Coping with Procedures
- 10. Forming a Partnership with the Medical Team
- 11. Hospitalization
- 12. Central Venous Catheters
- 13. Chemotherapy and Other Medications
- 14. Common Side Effects of Treatment
- 15. Radiation Therapy
- 16. Stem Cell Transplantation
- 17. Siblings
- 18. Family and Friends
- 19. Communication and Behavior
- 20. School
- 21. Sources of Support
- 22. Nutrition
- 23. Insurance, Record-keeping, and Financial Assistance
- 24. End of Treatment and Beyond
- 25. Relapse
- 26. Death and Bereavement
- Appendix A. Blood Tests and What They Mean
- Appendix B. Resource Organizations
- Appendix C. Books, Websites, and Support Groups