Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

What is childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

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Childhood

Acute Myeloid Leukemia/Other Myeloid Malignancies - Childhood
  • Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells.
  • Leukemia and other diseases of the blood and bone marrow may affect red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
  • Other myeloid diseases can affect the blood and bone marrow.
    • Transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM)
    • Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
    • Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML)
    • Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
    • Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
  • AML or MDS may occur after treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation therapy.
  • The risk factors for childhood acute myeloid leukemia and other myeloid malignancies are similar.
  • Signs and symptoms of childhood acute myeloid leukemia and other myeloid malignancies include fever, feeling tired, and easy bleeding or bruising.
  • Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to diagnose and find any spread of childhood acute myeloid leukemia and other myeloid malignancies.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview

General Information About Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Key Points

  • A childhood
Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors
  • Childhood central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors form from germ cells.
  • There are different types of childhood CNS germ cell tumors.
    • Germinomas
    • Nongerminomas
    • Teratomas
  • The cause of most childhood CNS germ cell tumors is not known.
  • Signs and symptoms of childhood CNS germ cell tumors include unusual thirst, frequent urination, or vision changes.
  • Imaging studies and other tests are used to help diagnose childhood CNS germ cell tumors.
  • A biopsy may be done to be sure of the diagnosis of a CNS germ cell tumor.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery).
Ewing Sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma is a type of tumor that forms in bone or soft tissue.
  • Undifferentiated round cell sarcoma may also occur in the bone or soft tissue.
  • Signs and symptoms of Ewing sarcoma include swelling and pain near the tumor.
  • Tests that examine the bone and soft tissue are used to diagnose and stage Ewing sarcoma.
  • A biopsy is done to diagnose Ewing sarcoma.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery).
Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors
  • Childhood extracranial germ cell tumors form from germ cells in parts of the body other than the brain.
  • Childhood extracranial germ cell tumors may be benign or malignant.
  • Childhood extracranial germ cell tumors are grouped as gonadal or extragonadal extracranial tumors.
    • Gonadal germ cell tumors
    • Extragonadal extracranial germ cell tumors
  • There are three types of extracranial germ cell tumors.
    • Teratomas
    • Malignant germ cell tumors
    • Mixed germ cell tumors
  • The cause of most childhood extracranial germ cell tumors is unknown.
  • Having certain inherited disorders can increase the risk of extracranial germ cell tumors.
  • Signs of childhood extracranial germ cell tumors depend on where the tumor formed in the body.
  • Imaging studies and blood tests are used to diagnose childhood extracranial germ cell tumors.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system.
  • The two main types of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma are classic and nodular lymphocyte-predominant.
  • Epstein-Barr virus infection and a family history of Hodgkin lymphoma can increase the risk of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Signs of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes, fever, drenching night sweats, and weight loss.
  • Tests that examine the lymph system and other parts of the body are used to diagnose and stage childhood Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
  • Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disorder that can damage tissue or cause lesions to form in one or more places in the body.
    • It is not known whether LCH is a form of cancer or a cancer-like disease.
  • Family history of cancer or having a parent who was exposed to certain chemicals may increase the risk of LCH.
  • The signs and symptoms of LCH depend on where it is in the body.
    • Bone
    • Skin and nails
    • Mouth
    • Lymph nodes and thymus
    • Endocrine system
    • Eye
    • Central nervous system (CNS)
    • Liver and spleen
    • Lung
    • Bone marrow
  • Tests that examine the organs and body systems where LCH may occur are used to diagnose LCH.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Liver Cancer
  • Childhood liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver.
  • There are different types of childhood liver cancer.
  • Certain diseases and conditions can increase the risk of childhood liver cancer.
  • Signs and symptoms of childhood liver cancer include a lump or pain in the abdomen.
  • Tests that examine the liver and the blood are used to diagnose childhood liver cancer and find out whether the cancer has spread.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Neuroblastoma
  • Neuroblastoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in neuroblasts (immature nerve tissue) in the adrenal glands, neck, chest, or spinal cord.
  • Neuroblastoma is sometimes caused by a gene mutation (change) passed from the parent to the child.
  • Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma include a lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest or bone pain.
  • Tests that examine many different body tissues and fluids are used to diagnose neuroblastoma.
  • A biopsy is done to diagnose neuroblastoma.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system, which is a part of the body's immune system.
  • There are three major types of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
    • Aggressive mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
    • Lymphoblastic lymphoma
    • Anaplastic large cell lymphoma
  • Some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are rare in children.
  • Having a weakened immune system increases the risk of NHL in children.
  • Signs of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma include breathing problems and swollen lymph nodes.
  • Tests that examine the body and lymph system are used to diagnose childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • A biopsy is done to diagnose childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone
  • Osteosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) of bone are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in bone.
  • Having past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation can increase the risk of osteosarcoma.
  • Signs and symptoms of osteosarcoma and UPS include swelling over a bone or a bony part of the body and joint pain.
  • Imaging tests are used to detect (find) osteosarcoma and UPS.
  • A biopsy is done to diagnose osteosarcoma.
  • Certain factors may affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Retinoblastoma
  • Retinoblastoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the retina.
  • Children with a family history of retinoblastoma should have eye exams to check for retinoblastoma.
  • Retinoblastoma occurs in heritable and nonheritable forms.
  • A child who has heritable retinoblastoma has an increased risk of trilateral retinoblastoma and other cancers.
  • Genetic testing can determine whether a child has the heritable or nonheritable form of retinoblastoma.
  • Signs and symptoms of retinoblastoma include "white pupil" and eyes that appear to be looking in different directions (crossed eyes).
  • Tests that examine the retina are used to diagnose retinoblastoma.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in muscle tissue.
  • Certain genetic conditions increase the risk of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma.
  • A sign of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma is a lump or swelling that keeps getting bigger.
  • Diagnostic tests and a biopsy are used to diagnose childhood rhabdomyosarcoma.
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
  • Childhood soft tissue sarcoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in soft tissues of the body.
  • Soft tissue sarcoma occurs in children and adults.
  • Having certain diseases and inherited disorders can increase the risk of childhood soft tissue sarcoma.
  • The most common sign of childhood soft tissue sarcoma is a painless lump or swelling in soft tissues of the body.
  • Diagnostic tests are used to diagnose childhood soft tissue sarcoma.
  • If tests show there may be a soft tissue sarcoma, a biopsy is done.
  • There are many different types of soft tissue sarcomas.
    • Fat tissue tumors
    • Bone and cartilage tumors
    • Fibrous (connective) tissue tumors
    • Skeletal muscle tumors
    • Smooth muscle tumors
    • So-called fibrohistiocytic tumors
    • Nerve sheath tumors
    • Pericytic (Perivascular) Tumors
    • Tumors of unknown cell origin
    • Blood vessel tumors
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.