Leukemia Flashcards
is the distorted and uncontrolled proliferation of WBCs
Leukemia
It is the most frequently occurring type of cancer in children
Leukemia
accounts for 75% of leukemias
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
The highest incidence of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is in children between
2 and 6 years of age
the incidence of ALL is slightly higher in what sex
males
Fist symptoms of ALL in children usually are those?
associated with decreased RBC production (Anemia) such as
*pallor
*low grade fever
*lethargy
A low thrombocyte (platelet) count will lead to
petechiae and bleeding from oral mucous membranes
As the spleen and liver begin to enlarge from infiltration of abnormal cells, what does occur?
abdominal pain, vomiting, and anorexia occurs
As abnormal lymphocytes invade the bone periosteum
the child experiences bone and joint pain
Overproduction of WBCs can also lead to
prolonged fevers that do not respond as expected to antipyretic medications
CNS invasion leads to symptoms such as
headache and unsteady gait
A _________ may show evidence of blast cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
lumbar puncture
A ________ will be prescribed to identify the type of WBC involved which determines the type of leukemia
Bone marrow aspiration
where is Bone Marrow Aspiration done
performed at the iliac crest
may be required to achieve long-term survival
bone marrow transplantation or immunotherapy
Chemotherapy in children is often administered by means of
a central venous catheter or port
4 phases of cure in ALL
*induction phase
*sanctuary or consolidation phase
*administering delayed intensive therapy
*maintenance phase
achieving a complete remission or absence of leukemia cells
Induction phase
preventing leukemia cells from invading or growing in the CNS
sanctuary or consolidation phase
Third phase for ALL
administering delayed intensive therapy
maintaining the original remission
maintenance phase
is instituted to eradicate this source of leukemic cells
Intrathecal administration (injection of methotrexate into the CSF by lumbar puncture)
standard chemotherapy may be continued for
2 to 3 years
involves the overproliferation of granulocyetes
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Granulocytes
neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils
as with ALL, the overproliferation of granulocyes limits
the production of RBCs and platelets
Diagnosis of AML is established by
bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
makes up the medication regimen commonly used for AME therapy
*cytarabine (Ara-C)
*etoposide (VePesid)
*daunorubicin (DaunoXome)
