The two major types of childhood leukemia are acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. Ever since the 1960's, survival rates for both types have been steadily climbing. According to the National Cancer Institute, less than five percent of kids with acute lymphocytic leukemia survived for more than five years in the 1960's. As of 2010, 85 percent of these kids live at least five years. Although less dramatic, great success in treating acute myeloid leukemia has also been achieved. The National Cancer Institutes reports that the five-year survival rate for acute myeloid leukemia has increased over the same time from less than 20 percent to 58 percent for children younger than 15 years, and from less than 20 percent to approximately 40 percent for adolescents aged 15 to 19 years.
Anemia
One of the earliest symptoms of leukemia is anemia. The child may appear pale and wan, fatigued and breathless. This symptom arises when the bone marrow becomes so crowded with leukemia cells that it can no longer produce red blood cells. According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, this can be treated with blood transfusions.
Swollen Glands
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University explains that kids with leukemia often have swollen glands. This occurs because leukemia cells collect at the lymph nodes on the neck, groin, chest and under the arms. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia notes that it can be difficult to tell whether the glands are swollen because of leukemia or because of normal infections.
Infections and Fever
Kids with leukemia often develop strange infections accompanied by fever. This occurs because their immune systems are not working properly. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia explains that even though these kids have a high number of white blood cells, these cells are defective and do not fight infection.
Pain
Pain in various parts of the body can occur because that part of the body becomes crowded with leukemia cells. For example, bone pain is common because the bone marrow becomes crowded with leukemia cells. According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, these cells also tend to gather around the kidneys, spleen and liver and cause abdominal pain
