Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells (also called leukocytes or WBCs) fight infections and other diseases.
In leukemia, the bone marrow (spongy material inside the bones) makes many white blood cells that aren't normal. These abnormal WBCs crowd the bone marrow and get into the bloodstream. Unlike healthy white blood cells, they can't protect the body from infections.
Sometimes leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-uh) spreads from the bone marrow to other parts of the body, like the chest, brain, or liver.
Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. But most kids and teens treated for leukemia are cured of the disease.
Most cases of leukemia in children are:
Less common types of childhood leukemia include:
Kids with leukemia may get more viral or bacterial infections than other kids. These happen because their white blood cells can't fight infections.
They also may get anemia, which is when there's a low number of red blood cells. This happens because leukemia cells crowd the bone marrow. This prevents bone marrow from making the usual amount of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
Kids with anemia may:
Other symptoms of leukemia can include:
Sometimes leukemia can spread, or metastasize. If it spreads to the brain, symptoms may include headaches, seizures, balance problems, or vision problems. If it spreads to the lymph nodes in the chest, symptoms may include breathing problems and chest pain.
Doctors don't know exactly what causes leukemia. But most cases happen when there is a change (mutation) in a gene that happens spontaneously. This means that the genetic mutation was not passed down from a parent.
Kids have a greater chance of developing leukemia if they have:
Leukemia affects adults and children. It is more common in boys than girls. The different types of leukemia affect different age groups:
To find out if a child has leukemia, a doctor will:
The doctor also will order some blood tests. Depending on the results, other testing done can include:
A pediatric oncologist (a doctor who specializes in childhood cancer) will lead the medical team caring for a child with leukemia. The oncologist works with other specialists, including nurses, social workers, psychologists, and surgeons.
Chemotherapy is the main treatment for childhood leukemia. The dosages and drugs used may differ based on the child's age and the type of leukemia.
Other treatments include:
With the proper treatment, the outlook for kids and teens with leukemia is quite good.
Most childhood leukemias have very high remission rates, with some up to 90%. Remission means that doctors see no cancer cells in the body. Most kids are cured of the disease. This means that they're in permanent remission.
Having a child being treated for cancer can feel overwhelming for any family. But you're not alone. To find support, talk to anyone on the care team or a hospital social worker. Many resources are available to help you and your child.
You also can find information and support online at:
Reviewed by: Jonathan L. Powell, MD
Date Reviewed: Sep 4, 2019