Childhood Leukemia: A Review

Abstract

Leukemia is cancer of the blood. It’s the most common form of cancer in childhood. The cancer cells grow in bone marrow and go into the blood. The bone marrow is the soft, spongy centre of some bones. It makes blood cells. When a child has leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal blood cells that don’t mature. The abnormal cells are usually white blood cells (leukocytes). The bone marrow also makes fewer healthy cells. The abnormal cells reproduce very quickly. Children with leukaemia can need treatment for up to 3 years.