Leukemias, Acute Health Article

Prognosis

Like all cancers, the prognosis for leukemia depends on the patient's age and general health. According to statistics, more than 60 percent of the patients with leukemia survive for at least a year after diagnosis. Acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) has a poorer prognosis rate than acute lymphocytic leukemias (ALL) and the chronic leukemias. Between 1985 and 2004, the five-year survival rate for patients with ALL increased from 38 to 57 percent.

Interestingly enough, since most childhood leukemias are of the ALL type, chemotherapy has been highly successful in their treatment. This is because chemotherapeutic drugs are most effective against actively growing cells. Due to the new combinations of anticancer drugs being used, the survival rates among children with ALL have improved dramatically. Eighty percent of the children diagnosed with ALL as of 2004 survive for five years or more, as compared to 50 percent in the late 1970s.

Prevention

Most cancers can be prevented by changes in lifestyle or diet, which will reduce the risk factors. However, in leukemias, there are as of 2004 no such known risk factors. Therefore, as of 2004, no way is known to prevent leukemias from developing. People who are at an increased risk for developing leukemia because of proven exposure to ionizing radiation or exposure to the toxic liquid benzene, and people with Down syndrome, should undergo periodic medical checkups.

Parental concerns

Parents of a child with leukemia must balance their own fears for their child's health with the child's fears and worries. Also, given the large financial burden leukemia treatment entails, parents will want to make sure they are aware of what and what is not covered by their insurance. Parents can find a variety of sources, written and online, that will help them deal with the new circumstances of themselves and their family.

Resources

Campana, Dario, and Ching-Hon Pui. "Childhood Leukemia." In Clinical Oncology. Edited by Martin D. Abeloff. London: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Thompson, George H. "The Neck." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Edited by Richard E. Behrman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2004.

Tubergen, David G., and Archie Bleyer. "The Leukemias." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Edited by Richard E. Behrman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2004.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Cancer Society. 1599 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329–4251. Web site: <www.cancer.org>.

Cancer Research Institute. 681 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10022. Web site: <www.cancerresearch.org>.

Leukemia Society of America Inc. 600 Third Ave., New York, NY 10016. Web site: <www.leukemia.org>.

National Cancer Institute. Building 31, Room 10A31, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD 20892–2580. <www.nci.nih.gov>.

Lata Cherath, PhD Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD