What is Risk Factors for Childhood Leukemia?

Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. It starts in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside most bones. Childhood leukemia, the most common type of cancer in children and teens, is a cancer of the white blood cells. Abnormal white blood cells form in the bone marrow. They quickly travel through the bloodstream and crowd out healthy cells. This increases the body's chances of infection and other problems.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes most cases of childhood leukemia. But certain factors may increase the chances of getting it. Keep in mind, though, that having a risk factor does not necessarily mean a child will get leukemia. In fact, most children with leukemia don't have any known risk factors.
The risk for childhood leukemia increases if your child has:

• An inherited disorder such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Down syndrome, or Klinefelter syndrome
• An inherited immune system problem such as ataxia telangiectasia
• A brother or sister with leukemia, especially an identical twin
• A history of being exposed to high levels of radiation, chemotherapy, or chemicals such as benzene (a solvent)
• A history of immune system suppression, such as for an organ transplant

Although the risk is small, doctors advise that children with known risk factors have regular checkups to spot any problems early.