Acute leukemia in children is a malignant disease. It is based on a systemic increase in hematopoietic tissue. It is accompanied by bone marrow rejuvenation.
At the same time, foci of unusual, extramedullary hematopoiesis appear in the body, the so-called metaplasia.
Acute leukemia in children: causes
Finally, the nature of this disease has not been clarified to date. Proponents of the point of view that it has a tumor origin, consider it a form of blastomatous process. Advocates of the second theory claim that leukemia is caused by a virus. Until a favorable moment, he is in a latent state. According to clone theory, a single cell mutates. By multiplying, it creates similar leukemia. There is also a theory calling for consideration of genetic predisposition.
Acute leukemia in children: signs
The disease develops in several stages. It begins, as a rule, gradually.
And only the sharpest form immediately manifests violently. The dominant symptoms during this period are: an increase in lymph nodes, pain in the bones and joints, their swelling, frequent nosebleeds, periodic fever, tonsillitis, abdominal pain, pallor, general weakness, dyspepsia, weight loss, loss of
appetite. This is how small children with leukemia feel at first. In older people, absent-mindedness, insomnia, and sometimes coughing are added to these symptoms. The initial period can last for weeks or months. At the stage of the full development of the disease, hemorrhagic syndrome,
enlarged spleen and liver are added to the previous symptoms. The condition of children as a whole is getting worse. They eat almost nothing, do not get up, are not interested in anything. Frequent vomiting, fever is observed. Lymph nodes may increase in separate groups. Acute leukemia in children is rarely accompanied by the Mikulich symptom complex, when both the salivary and lacrimal glands swell symmetrically. Internal organs increase, heart sounds become muffled. X-ray examination often reveals osteoporosis. In vital organs during the period of remission, deep, irreversible changes occur.
Patients are drowsy, adynamic. Sometimes delusions and hallucinations occur, then patients behave excitedly. Appetite decreases until anorexia, blood appears in the vomit. The borders of the heart expand, the tones are muffled, shortness of breath, galloping rhythm, tachycardia, weak pulse are observed. The lower limbs and face may swell. On the part of the blood, thrombocytopenia and an extreme degree of anemia are noted. The number of leukocytes increases sharply. Bone marrow consists almost entirely of reticular cells and other immature elements.
Acute leukemia in children: prognosis
Achievements of modern medicine allow achieving complete remission in 95% of cases. If the disease does not occur within 5 years, children are considered healthy. This happens in 70-80% of cases. It is also possible to successfully achieve complete remission for the second time. Only these patients can not do without bone marrow transplantation, after which the probability that they will live for a long time is from 35% to 65%.