Information on Childhood Luekemia...

C.,

I worked for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for 4 years. They offered information on all different types of blood cancers, including causes, symptoms and treatment. You can contact them by visiting www.tlls.org. There will be a multitude of resources. You can also call the local office (look up the number with the Chapter Finder at the top right of the page) and ask them to send you pamphlets on different types if blood cancers.

Do you know what particular type of leukemia you are referring too? ALL? AML? CML? There are several types, however ALL is most common among children. That will help determine types of treatment. Symptoms are different for all, but include low blood counts, easy brusing, lethargy and jaundice. There are, however, a multitude of symptoms. You would have to go see a doctor to confirm anything.

Fortunately these days there is a myriad of treatments, many cutting edge. There are obviously chemo and radiation, bone marrow transplants, stem cell treatments, radio immuno therapy (available at research schools such as Loma Linda)and probably even more things have surfaced recently.

The bottom line - find a fantastic doctor if you are concerned. If your insurance covers it, try to get an appointment with a doctor at Loma Linda, or CHOC, or St Jude. All three have fantastic pediatric programs, and they will do all they can to help you. And contact LLS as soon as possible. They offer support groups, education, and other patient services.

As far as causes - there are so many options. Foods, chemicals in groundwater (look up "cancer clusters"), power lines have been linked, etc, but 99% of the time, it is just a mutation in the genes. Unfortunate that we can't find one thing to point the finger at, but that's just the way it is. Again, LLS will have more on this.

If you have any other questions or if I can help you in any other way, please let me know. Best wishes to you.

A.

1 mom found this helpful

I would see a Naturopathic Doctor as well as a western medicine doctor, I would order the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing and do NAET.com allergy eliminations. Allergies cause the immune system to weaken. When the body is weak it is more suseptable to illness.

Be well.

N.

ANother great resource is the American Cancer SOciety. Also, if your child/friend or whomever is at a larger hospital recommend to the doctor they see teh child life specialist on staff. These are specially trained people that know how to talk to children and families in terms the child will understand about what is happening to them. Main thing is honesty!

Here is a great website!

http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls

http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/health/leukaemia.asp

Cell phones, cell towers, power lines, dirty electricity in the home are among the many implicated causes.

Not sure about symptoms or treatment.

your question was vague. I hasve a son that is a cancer survivor. What specifically do you want to know? was ypur child diagnosed? a friend?

I am going to be positive, ALL, the most common type of childhood leukemia has a 87% cure rate. Most kids do not need bone marrow, most kids survive.

No one knows what causes most childhood cancers. there is a theory out there that a child is born w/ the predisposition to it, and some thing (no one knows what)triggers the cancer.

Some of the symptoms are fatigue, little red spots on the skin, unexplained bruising.

Treatment varies-usually a couple yrs of chemo, longer for boys. Most kids w/ ALL go into remission quickly, then go into maintanance chemo, and their hair comes back.

If you have specific questions let me know.

C.