Leukaemia is the most common type of cancer in children, and early diagnosis followed by the right treatment can significantly improve survival rates. While hearing the word “cancer” is always frightening, the good news is that advances in medical science have made Leukaemia highly treatable in most young patients. Let’s understand from our expert paediatric cancer specialists in Surat, consulting at Blood and Cancer Institute (BCI), as to how Leukaemia is diagnosed and what treatment options are available is crucial for parents, caregivers, and anyone responsible for a child’s health.

Recognizing the Early Symptoms

Leukaemia begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. In children, the two main types are acute lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid Leukaemia (AML). These cancers progress quickly, which makes timely diagnosis critical. The first signs often mimic common childhood illnesses: fatigue, fever, frequent infections, unexplained bruises, bone pain, or swollen lymph nodes. “These symptoms can easily be dismissed as something minor, which is why persistent or worsening issues should always prompt a medical consultation.”, warn the cancer specialists in Surat.

How Doctors Diagnose Leukemia in Children

When a doctor suspects Leukaemia, they begin with a physical examination and detailed medical history. Blood tests follow, especially a complete blood count (CBC), which checks for abnormal levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. In Leukaemia, the white blood cell count is often very high or very low, and immature or abnormal white cells may be visible. If the blood tests raise red flags, the next step is usually a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. This involves taking a small sample from the hip bone using a needle, under local or general anesthesia. A pathologist then examines the sample under a microscope to confirm the presence and type of Leukaemia cells.

Understanding the Different Tests

Once Leukaemia is diagnosed, further tests determine the subtype, the genetic features of the cancer cells, and whether the cancer has spread to the brain or other parts of the body. This might involve imaging scans like MRI or CT, lumbar puncture to check spinal fluid, and molecular testing. These results help paediatric hemato-oncologists classify Leukaemia into risk categories and decide on a personalized treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Childhood Leukemia

Treatment for childhood leukemia is intense but effective. Chemotherapy is the backbone of most treatment protocols and often begins within days of diagnosis, explains our paediatric cancer specialists in Surat. For ALL, chemotherapy typically lasts two to three years and includes three phases: induction (to kill most Leukaemia cells), consolidation or intensification (to destroy remaining cells), and maintenance (to prevent relapse). AML treatment is shorter but more aggressive, with high-dose chemotherapy over several months and a longer hospital stay.

As part of cancer treatment in Surat, some children may need targeted therapy, which uses drugs designed to attack specific genetic mutations in cancer cells. If Leukaemia cells have certain abnormal genes, these drugs can block the pathways that allow the cells to grow. This approach causes less harm to healthy cells than standard chemotherapy.

When Is a Stem Cell Transplant Needed?

In certain high-risk cases or relapses, a stem cell transplant (also known as bone marrow transplant) may be recommended. This procedure replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy cells from a compatible donor, often a sibling. It requires high-dose chemotherapy or radiation to wipe out the original marrow, followed by the transplant. While this is a complex and demanding treatment, it can offer a cure when other approaches are less effective.

Other Therapies and Supportive Care

Radiation therapy is rarely used today, but it may be necessary if Leukaemia spreads to the brain or spinal cord. Supportive care is also an essential part of treatment. This includes managing infections, transfusions, nutritional support, and psychological care to help the child and family cope with the long road ahead.

Life After Treatment

Follow-up care after treatment ends is just as important. Cancer specialists in Surat monitor for signs of relapse, late effects of treatment, and ensure the child regains normal growth and development. Regular check-ups, blood tests, and sometimes imaging continue for years after the last dose of medicine.

Conclusion: Hope Through Early Action

Parents play a critical role during and after treatment. Understanding the plan, staying organized with medications and appointments, keeping up with hygiene and infection precautions, and maintaining emotional support for the child can make a huge difference. It’s a tough journey, but many children go on to live healthy, cancer-free lives.

With early detection, modern therapies, and comprehensive care from the experts at Blood and Cancer Institute, one of the best cancer hospitals in Surat, the outlook for children with Leukaemia has improved dramatically. What once seemed like a devastating diagnosis is now a highly treatable condition — when the signs are recognized, the diagnosis is prompt, and the treatment is aggressive and personalized.