Relapsed paediatric leukaemia and role of bone marrow transplant

Leukaemia happens to be the most common type of cancer in children, accounting for about 30% of all paediatric cancers.

- DR. SATYENDRA KATEWA

Leukaemia happens to be the most common type of cancer in children, accounting for about 30% of all paediatric cancers. Relapsed paediatric leukaemia can be a challenging time for children suffering from the disease, and their families.

Relapsed Leukaemia is the second most common cancer in children. The good news is, bone marrow transplant (BMT) offers hope to many families, playing a pivotal role for children suffering from a relapse.

However, the harsh reality is that despite remarkable progress in recent times, there remains the possibil ity of a relapse, especially in the first three to five years, in cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

When acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) returns, the symptoms are similar to when the disease first occurred. Reportedly, around 15 and 20 percent of children who are in remission may face a relapse. In this case, lymphocyte stem cells turn into immature white blood cells or lymphoblasts that crowd the bone marrow, leaving little room for healthy platelets, as well as white and red blood cells.

These abnormal cells also cannot fight infection, thus concerning immunity.