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Leukaemia
The following is an extract from a booklet 'The Child with Leukaemia at School: Information and Advice for Teachers' published by The Leukaemia CARE Society.
"What is Leukaemia?
Leukaemia is a form of disease which principally involves the white blood cells. It is often referred to as 'cancer of the blood'. There are two main types of leukaemia in childhood; acute lymphoblastic (also called 'lymphoid' or 'lymphocytic'), and acute myeloid which comes in a number of different forms. The most common form of leukaemia in childhood, affecting some 80% of patients, is acute lymphoblastic (often 'ALL' for short). It is the one that is most responsive to treatment.
The child's symptoms at the time when the disease is uncontrolled are due to a deficiency of red blood cells - leading to infection; and a deficiency of platelets - accounting for abnormal bruising. These will have been corrected by treatment before the child's return to school where they should cause no problems. The causes of leukaemia are uncertain but it is NOT an infectious disease."
The booklet goes on to give information under the following headings:
- Treatment
- Returning to school
- Infection at school
- What the children know about their disease
- Siblings
- Re-establishing normal routines
- Further reading
The Leukaemia CARE Society is a support group for families with children who have leukaemia. They also support adult patients and those suffering from allied blood disorders.
For further information contact: The Leukaemia CARE Society . Web site: www.leukaemiacare.org