Leukaemia

Question 1

What are the two main types of childhood leukaemias?

Answer 1

ALL (most common)

AML

Question 2

Where do leukaemias begin?

Answer 2

In the bone marrow

Question 3

Name 5 symptoms of leukaemia

Answer 3

Pallor, lethargy, fever, bruising, bone/joint pain, lymphadenopathy, weight loss

Question 4

What test is necessary for diagnosis of leukaemia?

Answer 4

Bone marrow aspirate

Question 5

What are the 4 main stages of chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia?

Answer 5

Induction (intense - to achieve remission)
Consolidation (often more intense - kill remaining cells that could harbour resistance to chemo)
Delayed Intensification
Maintenance

Question 6

What is the biggest concern with a child receiving chemotherapy? How do you make the diagnosis? What treatment should you begin and how quickly?

Answer 6

Febrile neutropenia - T > 38.5 + neutrophils under 0.5. Begin IV tazocin (piperacillin + tazobactam) +/- amikacin (if systemically unwell or high-risk cancer group), under 30 minutes from presentation