Pediatric Nursing Demystified

Pediatric Oncology Conditions

Leukemia

What Went Wrong?

Leukemia, the most common cancer in childhood, is a group of cancer dis-

eases of blood-forming tissues such as the bone marrow and lymphatic sys-

tem. The problem in leukemia is the production of an excessive number of

immature (still in the stem, or “blast,” stage) white blood cells (WBCs). Crowd-

ing from these excessive immature cells compromises the production of other

cells in the bone marrow. The leukemias are categorized by subtype into two

major classifications: acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL)/blast stem leukemia,

the most common type in children, and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML),

most frequent in adults and the most common form of leukemia overall. The

primary difference is the type of leukocyte (WBC) involved. In ALL, the

immature WBCs are lymphocytes, and in AML the WBCs involved are cells

from the myeloid line, primarily granulocytes or monocytes.

Signs and Symptoms

Common assessment findings:

• Diagnosis suspected by history and physical data.

CHAPTER 8/ Oncology Conditions^155

1. Common symptoms of cancer in children include (a)__,
   (b)____, (c), and
   (d)___.
   Answer:


2. What data in a 12-year-old client’s history would alert the nurse most to watch the
   client closely for signs of cancer?
   a. The client has reported frequent headache and weight loss.
   b. The client reports urinating three times a day.
   c. The dietary history reveals a high intake of fruit and vegetables.
   d. The school history indicates hyperactivity when doing class work.
   Answer:


3. (a)____, (b)___, (c)____, and
   (d) ____ are four existing theories of the causes of childhood neoplasm
   development.
   Answer:

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