childhood acute myeloid leukemia

What is Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?

Childhood AML is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow in children. It occurs when there is an overproduction of immature white blood cells, called myeloblasts or leukaemic blasts, which can crowd out normal blood cells.

Characteristics of Childhood AML:

• Overproduction of Immature White Blood Cells: In AML, the body makes too many immature white blood cells that don't develop properly.
• Quickly Progressing Disease: AML is a quickly progressing disease in which too many abnormal white blood cells are found in the bone marrow.
• Impact on Other Blood Cells: The overproduction of myeloblasts can cause problems with other blood cells, such as red blood cells and platelets.

Key Statistics:

• Cancer survival rates for children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have improved dramatically during the last several decades [3].
• AML is the second most common blood cancer in children [9].

References:

• [1] - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) happens when the body makes too many immature white blood cells. With treatment, most kids recover.
• [4] - In AML, blood cells called myeloid blasts multiply too fast and don't develop properly. This causes problems with other blood cells as ...
• [8] - AML is characterised by an overproduction of immature white blood cells, called myeloblasts or leukaemic blasts, but can occasionally occur in the red cell or ...

Common Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can cause a range of symptoms, which may vary from child to child. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Anemia: Feeling weak or tired due to a lack of red blood cells [1].
• Bone or joint pain: Pain in the bones or joints, which can be caused by abnormal bone marrow function [4].
• Frequent infections: Increased susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system [2].
• Easy bleeding or bruising: Easy bruising or bleeding due to low platelet counts [5].
• Fever with or without an infection: A high temperature, which can be accompanied by other symptoms like chills and sweating [5].
• Night sweats: Hot flashes or night sweats, which can be a sign of an underlying infection [5].
• Painless swelling in the neck: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, which can indicate an infection or inflammation [8].

Other Possible Symptoms

In some cases, children with AML may experience additional symptoms, such as:

• **Stomach

Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosis involves several diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of the disease and determine its subtype. Here are some of the key diagnostic tests used for childhood AML:

• Blood tests: Blood samples are taken from a vein in the arm to check for abnormal blood cells, such as blasts or immature white blood cells [11]. These tests can also help identify any underlying genetic mutations that may be contributing to the development of AML.
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: A bone marrow sample is taken from the hipbone using a needle to examine the bone marrow cells. This test can confirm the presence of AML and provide information on the subtype [13].
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): A lumbar puncture may be performed to check for leukemia cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
• Lymph node biopsy: In some cases, a lymph node biopsy may be performed to examine the lymph nodes for any signs of leukemia.

These diagnostic tests are used to confirm the diagnosis of childhood AML and determine its subtype. The results of these tests can help guide treatment decisions and provide information on the patient's prognosis [14].

It's worth noting that the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program mentioned in search result 5 is not directly related to the diagnosis of childhood AML, but rather a program for training sonographers.

References:

[11] - A leukemia diagnosis usually starts with a simple blood test, called a complete blood count. A doctor may order this blood test after evaluating the patient's ... [13] - Tests to look for leukemia in children · Blood tests · Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy · Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) · Lymph node biopsy. [14] - NYU Langone doctors diagnose acute myeloid leukemia based on the results of blood tests, bone marrow aspiration, and lumbar puncture. Learn more.

Treatment Options for Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Childhood AML is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow in children. The treatment options for this condition have evolved over time, and today, there are several effective therapies available.

• Chemotherapy: Combination chemotherapy is a common treatment approach for childhood AML. This involves using multiple anti-cancer drugs to kill the leukemia cells. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously through a central line or orally.
• Stem Cell Transplant: Stem cell transplant, also known as bone marrow transplant, may be recommended in some cases of childhood AML

Differential Diagnosis of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity in presentation with other conditions. The differential diagnosis for AML includes:

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): This is the most common type of cancer in children, and it can present similarly to AML [4].
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS): MDS is a group of disorders characterized by abnormal development of blood cells. Differentiating between AML and advanced MDS may be difficult in children with a low percentage of blasts [7].
• Acute Biphenotypic Leukemia: This is a rare type of leukemia that can present with both myeloid and lymphoid features, making it challenging to diagnose [9].
• Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders: These are conditions characterized by the overproduction of mature blood cells. They can be difficult to distinguish from AML in children [8].

Diagnostic Tests

To differentiate between these conditions, various diagnostic tests are used, including:

• Blood tests: These show low numbers of normal white blood cells and the presence of abnormal leukemia cells [10].
• Bone marrow biopsy: This is a sample of bone marrow that can help diagnose AML and distinguish it from other conditions [5].

Genetic Factors

Genetic factors also play a role in the development of AML. The most common genetic factor for development of AML is trisomy 21, which is associated with an increased risk of childhood AML in children with Down syndrome [6].

References:

[1] Most myeloid leukemias in children are acute; the remainder include chronic and/or subacute myeloproliferative disorders, such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. (8) [2] Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, anemia, aplastic anemia, B cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and other conditions can present similarly to AML. (2) [3] The clinical presentation of AML may be indistinguishable from that of acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma. (4) [4] Genetic factors such as trisomy 21 are associated with an increased risk of childhood AML in children with Down syndrome. (6) [5] Differentiating between AML and advanced MDS may be difficult in children with a low percentage of blasts. In these patients, a trephine biopsy is necessary. (7)