Leukemia in children
The leukemia in children seems particularly tragic. Can act as the comforting fact that the prognosis of children are significantly higher than that of adults. This has several reasons: children often tolerate chemotherapy better than adults. This allows higher doses of the drugs and they work more effectively. In addition, poor working adults in the program for repairing genetic defects than children.
This can lead to leukemia in adults are causing gene defects much more complicated. An important role in overcoming leukemia also plays the constitution of the patients. The older patients are, the more likely it is to be expected with other health impairments. This can hinder a very effective treatment.
All this has great impact on the chances of recovery. While roughly one in two adults can be cured is to be expected in children, depending on the type of leukemia, with a success rate above 75 percent. In Germany, approximately 600 children are diagnosed with leukemia. With more than 80 percent here is the ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of disease. This is very rare in adults. It is believed that the underlying genetic defect in leukemia of children are already in the womb. The disease occurs but usually only some time after birth, mainly in the fourth year of life. After the age of five, the illness numbers go back strong again.