Childhood leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. The spelling of the word 'leukemia' is influenced by its pronunciation, which contains three syllables. The first syllable, 'lu', is pronounced with a long 'u' sound /luː/ as in 'lunar', while the second syllable, 'ke', is pronounced with a short 'e' sound /kɛ/ as in 'keen'. The final syllable, 'mia', is pronounced with a long 'i' sound /miː/ as in 'me'. Therefore, the IPA phonetic transcription for the word childhood leukemia is /ˈtʃaɪld.hʊd luːˈkiː.mi.ə/.
Childhood leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and affects white blood cells, especially leukocytes, which play a crucial role in the immune system. It is primarily characterized by the rapid production of abnormal and immature white blood cells, which crowd out normal healthy cells, leading to several health complications. This form of leukemia mainly occurs in children and teenagers, typically aged between 2 and 15 years old.
Childhood leukemia can be categorized into two major types: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ALL is the most common type, accounting for about three-quarters of all childhood leukemia cases, where an excess of immature lymphocytes is produced. AML, on the other hand, involves the rapid growth of abnormal myeloid cells.
The exact cause of childhood leukemia is still largely unknown, but certain risk factors have been identified, including exposure to high doses of radiation, certain genetic disorders, and certain genetic mutations. Symptoms of childhood leukemia may vary but commonly include fatigue, pale skin, frequent infections, bone and joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes, easy bruising or bleeding, and weight loss.
Treatment for childhood leukemia typically involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation. The prognosis for childhood leukemia has significantly improved over the years due to advances in treatment options and supportive care, with a high percentage of children achieving complete remission and long-term survival. However, the extent of treatment and the prognosis may depend on various factors, including the specific type of leukemia, genetic abnormalities, and the overall health of the child.
The word "childhood leukemia" is composed of two parts: "childhood" and "leukemia".
- "Childhood" refers to the period of a person's life when they are a child, typically before reaching adolescence or adulthood. It comes from the Middle English word "childhode", which is a combination of "child" and the suffix "-hood", meaning state or condition.
- "Leukemia" is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood-forming tissues, resulting in an abnormal production of white blood cells. The term "leukemia" comes from the Greek words "leukos" (meaning white) and "haima" (meaning blood). The concept of leukemias was first described in the 19th century, and the term "leukemia" itself was coined by the German pathologist Rudolf Virchow in 1845.