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The issue of child health has always been one of the top priorities in medicine. Unfortunately, cancer has become the most serious challenge. In 2020, more than 280,000 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with this terrible disease (according to the World Health Organisation). Statistics show that 30% to 50% of cancer cases are related to leukaemia. This is quite alarming, but despite this, recent years have brought significant advances in the treatment of this disease. In this article, you will learn how to effectively fight malignant blood diseases in children.
SYMPTOMS OF LEUKAEMIA IN CHILDREN
According to the American Cancer Society, 3 groups of symptoms may indicate leukaemia in a child.
ПерThe first group is related to the syndrome of intoxication: pain in the joints, headache, weakness, poor appetite, sleep disturbances, excessive sweating, fever, sudden weight loss, etc.
The second group of symptoms is associated with hemorrhagic syndrome (bleeding): haemorrhages on the skin, nosebleeds, blood in the urine, bleeding in various organs (lungs, intestines, stomach), and anaemia.
The third group of symptoms is associated with disturbances in the heart function: increased heart rate, arrhythmia, changes in the boundaries of the heart, damage to all parts of the heart, etc.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF LEUKAEMIA IN CHILDREN WHICH PARENTS CAN NOTICE:
Pale skin and mucous membranes, bruises;
Swollen lymph nodes (cervical, parotid, submandibular);
Enlarged liver and spleen;
Tachycardia, general weakness and lethargy.
Symptoms such as sudden fever, recurrent sore throats and nosebleeds are characteristic of a rapidly developing disease. If you notice these symptoms in a child, do not panic. Take a total blood count and consult a specialist, only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
Contact MediGlobus specialists to learn more about childhood leukaemia and where to seek medical care.
PROTOCOLS OF LEUKAEMIA TREATMENT IN CHILDREN
There are several protocols for treating leukaemia in children. This is due primarily to the fact that different forms of leukaemia require different treatment tactics. The most common form of leukaemia is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This form of the disease occurs in 80% of cases.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia most often affects children between 1 to 5 years. In addition, this form of leukaemia is more common in boys. Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia consists of 3 stages of chemotherapy. The stage of intensive chemotherapy takes about six months, and the total duration of therapy is up to 2 years.
Among the protocols for the therapy of ALL in children, several are most commonly used: ALL-REZ, IntReALL SR 2010, SCTped 2012 FORUM, EsPhALL, and COALL-08-09. Paediatric chemotherapy protocols for lymphoblastic leukaemia also include GRAALL-2003, COG AALL-0434, CCG-1961, CALGB 10403, etc.
Treatment of lymphoblastic leukaemia in children, which consists of polychemotherapy, as well as prevention and cure of related problems, is possible in about 80-85% of cases. In 15-20% of children treatment with chemotherapy is not enough and they need bone marrow transplantation.
Treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia in children is more difficult. In almost half of cases, in addition to polychemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation is necessary.
Read: WHERE TO TREAT LEUKAEMIA IN CHILDREN?
Increasingly, parents are seeking help for their children abroad. This is because modern chemotherapy protocols are available in countries with developed medicine. However, the primary reason is the lack of sufficient experience in their homeland or even lack of possibility carrying out certain types of bone marrow transplants.
High-quality results in the treatment of leukaemia in children are demonstrated by Israel, Germany, South Korea and Turkey. Israeli clinics show a high level of success where all types of bone marrow transplants are performed.
A whole team of specialists is engaged in treating children with leukaemia in Israel: a paediatrician, a haematologist, a medical oncologist, a paediatric surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a neurologist, a psychologist and other doctors required for comprehensive care. Among the advantages of treating children with leukaemia in Israel is the presence of world-renowned specialists who can provide consultation. We are talking about oncohematology in clinic Ichilov – Dr. Odelia Gur and Dr. Dror Levin.
Treatment of children’s leukaemia in Germany has several advantages: for example, during the passage of therapy, children can keep on studying in school. In addition, Germany has many university hospitals, which are actively involved in their scientific research and have made a huge step forward in bone marrow transplantation and the general treatment of oncological blood diseases.
Turkey has shown promising results in childhood leukaemia treatment as many bigger centres are involved in these types of procedures. One of the major advantages of Turkey over other countries is the cost of this procedure which is far lower compared to Germany and Israel.
Among the leading foreign clinics for the treatment of leukaemia in children are:
Learn more about the world’s leading clinics specialising in paediatric blood cancer. Leave your phone number to contact a MediGlobus medical professional.
PROGNOSIS FOR LEUKAEMIA IN CHILDREN
According to the American Cancer Society, the prognosis for childhood leukaemia has improved in recent decades. Today, most children diagnosed with leukaemia have a good chance of recovery thanks to modern treatments and early diagnosis.
Official data from the American Cancer Society:
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The five-year survival rate has increased strongly over time and is now around 90% overall. In general, children in low-risk groups have a better prognosis than those in higher-risk groups. However, even children in the higher-risk group have a good chance of recovery.
Acute myeloid leukaemia. The overall five-year survival rate is 65-70%. However, survival depends on the subtype of the disease and other factors. For example, most studies indicate that the prognosis of recovery for acute promyelocytic leukaemia is more than 80%.
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia. The five-year survival rate is about 50%.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia. This is a fairly rare disease. However, it is known that some children can live a long time with leukaemia without actually being completely cured. Five-year survival rates range from 60% to 80%. But with the use of new, more effective drugs used to treat leukaemia in recent years, survival rates have improved.
TESTIMONIAL ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKAEMIA IN CHILDREN
Hospital: Ludwig-Maximilian Clinic
Procedure: Bone marrow transplantation
Patient’s age: 4 years
Patient from: Kharkiv
Svetlana: “My nephew was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. In addition to chemotherapy, he needed a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. We chose Germany (Ludwig-Maximilian Clinic), because, firstly, they offered modern chemo protocols for children, and there is a bank of donors for stem cell transplantation. By the way, since he is a child, we had to pay in advance for the treatment. It was quite difficult for the child to undergo chemotherapy, but remission was achieved. The transplant was successful. Now we have had a year of good analyses, the child is 4 years old…”
Cost of leukaemia treatment in different countries
The cost of leukaemia treatment abroad depends on the country and clinic, the status of treating doctors, the methods chosen and the duration of treatment.
Turkey
Turkey | Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | from $2,500 |
| Bone marrow transplantation | from $30,000 to $95,000 |
Spain
Spain | Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | from €2,500 |
| Bone marrow transplantation | from €70,000 to €180,000 |
Israel
Israel| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | from $3,500 |
| Bone marrow transplantation | from $67,000 to $200,000 |
Germany
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | from €3,500 |
| Bone marrow transplantation | from €120,000 to €300,000 |
Summary
In 2020, more than 280,000 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer (according to the World Health Organisation). Statistics show that between 30% and 50% of all cancer cases are related to leukaemia. This is very alarming, but recent years have brought significant advances in the treatment of this serious disease.
Treatment of paediatric lymphoblastic leukaemia, which consists of polychemotherapy and prevention and therapy of related problems, is possible in about 80-85% of cases. 15-20% of children do not have enough chemotherapy and need a bone marrow transplant.
According to the American Cancer Society, the prognosis for childhood leukaemia has improved in recent decades. Most children now have a good chance of being cured thanks to early diagnosis and new therapies.
Increasingly, parents are seeking help for their children abroad. This is because modern, gentle chemotherapy protocols are available in countries with developed medicine. However, most young patients are travelling abroad due to the lack of sufficient experience (or even the lack of possibility) to perform certain types of bone marrow transplants in their country.
The highest leukaemia survival rates in the world are in foreign clinics. You too can go abroad with your child for treatment of acute leukaemia and save his or her life. Write to the MediGlobus medical coordinators to find out more. We can help you open a visa, advise you on how to save money on treatment and support you 24/7.
Sources:
- 1. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
- 2. American Cancer Society
- 3. Childhood Leukemia
- 4. Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment
- 5. Survival Rates for Childhood Leukemias
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