Download CHILDREN`S HEALTH ISSUE Childhood Leukemia

CHILDREN’S HEALTH
ISSUE Childhood
Leukemia
By Jennifer Aleksa &
Angie Edwards-Rash
What is Childhood Leukemia?
Leukemia is a typically non-inherited disease in which
large numbers of immature, abnormal white blood
cells are produced in the bone marrow
Abnormal white blood cells flood the bloodstream,
affecting the production of oxygen-producing red blood
cells and platelets
Normal white blood cells protect the body from
infection and disease
A large production of abnormal white blood cells
makes makes the body very susceptible to infections
and diseases
Leukemia affects more than 3,500 children in the US
every year
Common Forms of Childhood
Leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) –
Very rapid production of abnormal white
blood cells known as the lymphocytes that
are released into the bloodstream before
they mature. This is the most common
form of Leukemia and strikes children
three years of age and younger and young
teenagers.
Accounts for 75% of all pediatric cases
Common Forms of Childhood
Leukemia
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) – A very
rapid production of abnormal white blood
cells known as the myelocytes. This form of
Leukemia strikes children as well as adults.
Accounts for 20% of all pediatric cases
Chronic cases of leukemia are also present;
these are very slow growing cancers affecting
myelocytes and lymphocytes.
In a chronic case, the white blood cells are
more mature and they are produced at a
much slower rate
What are the Symptoms?
Frequent Infections and fevers
Easy bruising or bleeding
Bone or joint pain
Unusual fatigue and breathlessness during
activity
Loss of appetite; unexplained weight loss
Night sweats
Swollen glands (usually lymph nodes)
Anemia
Socio-economic or Ethnic factors in
Survival and Occurrence
Few studies to date on socio-economic or ethnic
factors related to occurrence
One study conducted in at St. Judes Children’s
Hospital indicated that the survival rate is lowest
among minority children (African Americans,
Hispanic and Native American) compared to
Caucasian and Asian/Pacific Islander children
Highest survival rate found in Asian children
Higher survival rate in females than in males
One study conducted in Colorado indicated that
the occurrence of leukemia was higher in children
living in an urban area rather than a rural area
Treatments of Leukemia
Intrathecal Chemotherapy – a cancer-killing drug that is
administered into the cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal
cord to keep it from entering the child’s central nervous system
Radiation therapy – high energy rays are aimed at the affected area
to shrink tumors and keep cancer cells from growing (often used in
tandem with chemotherapy)
Bone Marrow Transplant – Stem cells (immature blood cells) are
taken from healthy bone marrow and are introduced into a sick
child’s body to create a new “blood factory” that will hopefully
produce healthy, mature white blood cells
Maintenance Chemotherapy – administered in cycles over 2 to 3
years to avoid reoccurrence. Leukemia will almost always reoccur if
this chemotherapy is not received
Various new drugs – many ongoing clinical trials introduce new
drugs that may offer more effective treatment with minimal impact on
quality of life
Long Term and Late Effects of
Treatment
A long-term effect is a medical problem that persists for months or years
after treatment
A late effect is a medical problem that does not develop until years after
treatment ends. Both long-term and late effects include:
Infertility
Cognitive Effects – include learning disabilities in math, spatial relationships,
problem solving, attention span, reading and spelling, processing
information, organization and fine motor coordination (poor handwriting)
Physical Development – ongoing fatigue, growth delays, thyroid
dysfunction, hearing and vision loss and development of secondary cancer
Psychological Development – childhood leukemia survivors are more likely
to experience mood swings, behavioral changes, depression and
posttraumatic stress disorder
Drug therapy – drug therapy in general has been associated with heart and
lung problems, low testosterone levels in boys and premature ovarian
failure or premature menopause in girls. Infertility has also been lined to
drug therapy
How Can Educators Provide
Support?
Encouraging words
Letting the student know that they are
missed when they are out of school
Keeping in contact with student while they
are out of school
Provide accommodations
Home bound services
How to help a student transition
back into school
Have the school nurse talk to the class about leukemia before student
comes back so that he or she is not overwhelmed with questions. (
age appropriate)
Have the student share any information if they choose about where
they have been.
Provide a cozy place for the student to rest to or allow the student to
rest in the nurses office (leukemia cause’s fatigue).
Keep other students with common colds or who become sick while in
school away from student with leukemia.
Sanitize students desk before use
Hand sanitize/ wash often
The smiling face of Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Parker Ann Aleksa
10 years old, 3rd grader
Diagnosed with
ALL 1 yr ago
Has not been affected
mentally, physically other
than hair loss and facial features,
or emotionally
Remains positive, up beat, and active
How Parkers school welcomed her
back
Teachers coordinated
the whole school to
wear the same
bandana that parker
wore on her 1st day
back to school.
Bandana Bonanza!