There is a generally positive outlook for children diagnosed with leukaemia
WHILE LEUKAEMIA is a very serious disease, the vast majority of children can be cured, according to Dr Paul Brown, consultant haematologist at St James's Hospital.
More than 90 per cent of children with leukaemia will have acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The type of leukaemia Declan Molloy suffered from was acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which is mainly found in adults and rarely affects children (less than 10 per cent).
In practical terms, the difference between the two types is that AML sufferers have to undergo more intensive treatment and need more platelet transfusions than those with ALL.
Typically, a patient will have chemotherapy sessions lasting five to 10 days and be given three weeks to recover. During the recovery time they will need red cell and platelet transfusions every day or every second day.
Blood transfusions are a crucial aspect of the treatment, according to Brown. "The average leukaemia patient will need blood from 50 to 100 donors over a six-month course of treatment. Blood transfusions are the life-saving aspect of the treatment.
The cumulative effect of heavy chemical therapy will make the patient very weak, but most will feel much better in a month and will fully regain their strength in two to three months, he says.
Nowadays it is rare for suffers of childhood leukaemia to require a bone marrow transplant. Most can be treated with chemotherapy. However, 30-40 per cent of adults with AML will require bone marrow transplants because they do not have the ability to withstand the intensity of the treatment and are more prone to infection.
The "majority of children will fully recover once the cancer is cleared", according to Brown. If it remains clear for over five years the chance of recurrence is very small and they can expect to live a long life.
People with the disease usually report feeling very tired, experience unexpected bruising or bleeding and may have infections and severe mouth sores. The problem is that such symptoms are quite common, he says.
If someone has these symptoms and they do not clear up in four to five weeks they should get them checked out, he says.
• For further information on becoming a platelet donor text Platelet to 53377 or telephone 01-432 2833 or 021-480 7430
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