Leukemia and Lymphoma in Children

Also known as acute lymphocytic leukemia, this disease is the most common type of childhood leukemia. During this fast-acting disease, the body produces too many lymphocytes, which are infection-fighting white blood cells. These cells do not mature correctly and cannot properly fight infection.

Acute myelogenous leukemia begins in myeloid cells. These cells usually produce red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells other than lymphocytes. AML is also known as acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, or acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.

This type of slow-growing leukemia is somewhat rare in children. The disease originates in myeloid cells and can be more aggressive in children and young adults.

This type of leukemia almost always forms before the age of 2 and is associated with other genetic conditions for some patients. Treatments vary according to the genetic cause of this type of leukemia.

Also known as Hodgkin disease, this cancer that commonly affects adolescents and young adults involves the lymph nodes. Patients with Hodgkin lymphoma can experience difficulty breathing and other symptoms like night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and unexplained fevers.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes. Symptoms are related to the location of the cancer and are widely varied. The three most common types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children are lymphoblastic lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and diffuse B large cell lymphoma.

This rare disease affects the function of the body’s immune system and causes white blood cells to attack healthy cells. Patients are diagnosed with either familial or acquired HLH.

This rare disease of the body’s immune system causes white blood cells to attack healthy cells in one or more of the body’s organ systems. Some patients can be cured with surgery only. Others require medical treatment.