Common Signs of Leukemia in Children

Leukemia is a disease affecting blood cells and is classified among hematological cancers. It involves excessive proliferation of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. These cancer cells multiply as copies of a single white blood cell that has become cancerous, then spread into the bloodstream, causing both a relative shortage of healthy blood cells and reduced production of normal blood cells through bone marrow suppression.

In the figure above, the two large circles illustrate the microscopic appearance of two different blood samples prepared by peripheral blood smear.

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children under 16 in developed countries

In Turkey, among children under 16, between 1200-1500 are newly diagnosed with leukemia each year. Childhood leukemia generally has similar symptoms. Leukemia may be chronic, with symptoms progressing slowly, or acute, with symptoms developing very rapidly.

Childhood leukemia also affects young people. Diagnosis can be frightening, but survival rates today are better than for many other cancers.

11 common signs of childhood leukemia

1. Anemia

Anemia occurs when the body has insufficient red blood cells and is commonly known as a low blood count .

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. If too few are produced, symptoms may include:

• fatigue
• weakness
• dizziness
• breathlessness
• headache
• pale skin
• feeling unusually cold

2. Frequent infections

White blood cell numbers increase in children with leukemia; normally, white blood cells are major components of the immune system , but in leukemia most cannot perform their functions because abnormal cells replace healthy white blood cells.

Persistent and frequent infections are another sign that a child has insufficient white blood cells.

3. Bruising and bleeding

Easy bruising, nosebleeds or bleeding gums in a child can be a sign of leukemia.

4. Bone or joint pain

Pain in a child’s bones or joints may indicate childhood leukemia. As leukemia develops, abnormal cells collect inside joints or near bone surfaces, causing pain.

5. Swelling

Swelling in a child with leukemia may affect various parts of the body.

• Abdomen: when abnormal cells collect in the liver and spleen
• Face and arms
• Small lumps at the sides of the neck, in the armpits or above the collarbone (due to swollen lymph nodes)

There may also be facial swelling, worse in the morning when the child wakes and improving somewhat during the day. This is called superior vena cava syndrome and rarely occurs in leukemia. However, it can be life-threatening and may require emergency intervention.

6. Loss of appetite, abdominal pain and weight loss

If leukemia cells cause swelling in the liver, kidneys or spleen, these organs may press on others, such as the stomach. This swelling can cause discomfort, loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss.

7. Coughing or difficulty breathing

Leukemia may affect structures in and around the lungs, such as certain lymph nodes or the thymus, a gland located between the lungs.

If these parts swell, they may press on the trachea (windpipe) and make breathing difficult.

Breathing difficulties may also occur when leukemia cells accumulate in small blood vessels in the lungs.

A child having difficulty breathing requires emergency intervention.

8. Headache, vomiting and seizures

If leukemia affects the brain or spinal cord, a child may experience:

• headache
• weakness
• seizures
• vomiting
• difficulty concentrating
• balance problems
• blurred vision

9. Skin rashes

Leukemia cells spreading to the skin can cause dark, rash-like patches. This collection of cells is very rare and is called chloroma or granulocytic sarcoma.

10. Extreme fatigue

Rarely, leukemia causes very severe fatigue and exhaustion that can progress to difficulty speaking.

- Can weakness and fatigue be the first signs of cancer?

11. Generally feeling unwell

A child may not accurately describe physical complaints but may generally look ill. If you do not know why a child is ill, be sure to take them to a doctor.

Conclusion - early signs of leukemia in children

Recognizing and assessing leukemia symptoms early can allow prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Early signs can be difficult to identify and may differ between children. Not all children with leukemia show the symptoms, signs and complaints listed above.

Early symptoms also differ between acute and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia symptoms generally develop quickly and may be more pronounced. Chronic leukemia may have milder symptoms developing slowly over time.

In conclusion, if a parent or caregiver notices any of these symptoms, arranging a prompt pediatric appointment is beneficial. Rapid diagnosis can allow a child to receive appropriate treatment quickly and improve outcomes.

Doctors can now successfully treat many childhood leukemia patients. Treatments are advancing and survival rates continue to improve.

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- What is the difference between leukemia and lymphoma?