leukemia symptoms : Leukemia and Infections
Common infections that affect mothers and babies may trigger certain types of childhood cancers. Leukemia and brain tumors, leading cancers in children, occur in clusters, which suggests that outbreaks of infections are a contributing cause of the disease. These infections could be minor, common illnesses...such a cold, mild flu or a respiratory infection. Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for nearly one third of all cases. Most of the rise has been in children ages 1 to 4. An infection in the womb or early in life could lead to cancer in young people who carry mutant cells that would make them more vulnerable to the disease. The virus would hit this mutant cell and cause a second mutation, prompting the onset of cancers like leukemia or brain tumors.
Viruses and Leukemia
Viruses of the retrovirus and herpesvirus families may potentially cause certain human leukemias and lymphomas. The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 causes adult T-cell leukemia. Influenza virus may also be a cause.
From 1974 to 2000, peaks in the rate of the acute lymphoblastic type of leukemia (ALL) among children in the UK seem to have occurred immediately after influenza epidemics. Perhaps some childhood leukemia may be triggered by infection occurring close to the time of diagnosis of leukemia. The findings are based on an analysis of data from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours, which covers the entire childhood population of the UK. During the 27-year period covered by the study, the rate of childhood ALL increased by 0.7 percent annually, on average. However, the rate spiked upward slightly in 1976 and 1990, just after influenza epidemics. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, March 15, 2006.
by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Viruses and Leukemia
Viruses of the retrovirus and herpesvirus families may potentially cause certain human leukemias and lymphomas. The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 causes adult T-cell leukemia. Influenza virus may also be a cause.
From 1974 to 2000, peaks in the rate of the acute lymphoblastic type of leukemia (ALL) among children in the UK seem to have occurred immediately after influenza epidemics. Perhaps some childhood leukemia may be triggered by infection occurring close to the time of diagnosis of leukemia. The findings are based on an analysis of data from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours, which covers the entire childhood population of the UK. During the 27-year period covered by the study, the rate of childhood ALL increased by 0.7 percent annually, on average. However, the rate spiked upward slightly in 1976 and 1990, just after influenza epidemics. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, March 15, 2006.
by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
