By Hailey Taylor

English 252

The Price of Survival

Acute Lymphocytic (ALL) Leukemia in Children

ocancer of the white blood cells -- the cells in the body that normally fight infections

(“Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children” par 1)

What is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia?

There are two main types of

white blood cells:

1. lymphoid cells

2. myeloid cells

(“Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children” par 1)

ALL leukemia affects lymphoid cells

(“Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment”)

For Example…When eighteen month old Rylee was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic

leukemia…o Her white blood cell count was higho Her red blood cell count was way low (hers was at a 12, normal is 35) o Her platelets were also low

When Leukemia is diagnosed…oThere are usually about 100 billion leukemia

cells in the body

oKilling 99.9% of these leukemia cells during the 1-month induction treatment is enough to achieve a remission

oBut it still leaves about 100 million leukemia cells in the body

(“Detailed Guide: Leukemia Children’s Treatment of Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia” par 2)

Treatments:•Treatments have come a long way since the 1960s

•A child diagnosed with ALL leukemia then had a very low chance of survival

•Now, in most cases it is 85% curable

(“Childhood Cancer Survivors Coached to Improve Learning Disabilities” par 7).

Treatments/Effects:Chemotherapy &

Radiation

“While radiation and chemotherapy save young lives . . . at least 100 research studies have concluded that radiation therapy (not chemotherapy) directed at a still-developing brain, can impair thinking, attention, memory, speech, and flexible thought”

-Robert W. Butler, PhD, clinical psychologist at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland

(“Childhood Cancer Survivors Coached to Improve Learning Disabilities” par 8)

Treatment Effects:

“We’ve been aware of learning disabilities as a side effect for a couple of decades, and we’ve all been very frustrated by it . . . But you have to take the choice of whether you want the child to survive. Most people choose the learning disability, especially if we are able to alter the outcome by giving special learning classes to the children”

-Donna Copeland, PhD, a professor of pediatrics at University of Texas Medical School, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

(“Childhood Cancer Survivors Coached to Improve Learning Disabilities” par 10).

Treatment Effects:

“If we rejected doing chemo, cancer could overtake her body, spine, central nervous system or brain. If we stick to traditional treatment, the chemo can and most likely will have at least some lasting negative effects. Will Rylee beat all the odds? I guess we'll take our chances” (Taylor, Natalie).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:

“Most survivors of childhood leukemia or lymphoma do not develop significant long-term or late effects of treatment. Effects can range from mild to severe . . . It is important for parents to discuss possible long-term and late effects with their child’s treatment team so that the proper planning, evaluation and follow-up can take place”

(“Long-Term and Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Leukemia or Lymphoma” 2)

Looking up…

Works Cited “Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children.” National Cancer Institute. 11 July 2002. 1 March

2009 <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/ALLinchildren>.

“Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Understanding ALL.” The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fighting Blood Cancers. 14 July 2008. 1 March 2009 < http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page.adp?item_id=7049>.

“Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment.” National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.14 Feb. 2008. 5 March 2009 < http://www.medem.com/medlib/article/ZZZHE608L0E>.

“Childhood Cancer Survivors Coached to Improve Learning Disabilities.” ACS News Center. 11 Feb. 2001. 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Childhood_Cancer_Survivors_Coached_to_Improve_Learning_Disabilities.asp>.

“Detailed Guide: Leukemia - Children’s Treatment of Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.” American Cancer Society. 19 August 2007. 1 March 2009 <http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Treatment_of_Children_with_Acute_Lymphocytic_Leukemia_24.asp>.

“Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer: Treatment - Patient Information.” National Cancer Institute. 1 July 2008. 23 Feb. 2008 < http://www.everettclinic.com/kbase/nci/ncicdr0000373791.htm>.

“Long-Term and Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Leukemia or Lymphoma.” The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fighting Blood Cancers. 17 February 2009 < http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/attachments/National/br_1193318745.pdf>.

Taylor, Natalie. Personal Interview. 28 Feb. 2009.

Taylor, Rylee. Personal Photograph by Natalie Taylor.