Which type of leukemia is most common in children?

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children. This form of leukemia arises from the rapid proliferation of immature white blood cells, specifically lymphocytes. The peak incidence of ALL occurs between the ages of 2 and 5, making it particularly prevalent in the pediatric population.

The clinical presentation often includes symptoms such as fatigue, frequent infections, and easy bruising or bleeding, which can be attributed to the reduced production of normal blood cells due to the overcrowding of the bone marrow by leukemic cells.

Understanding the context of leukemia types is essential; while other forms of leukemia, such as acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and chronic forms like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), exist, they are less common in children. ALL's specific characteristics and higher incidence rate in the younger demographic clearly define its status as the most common childhood leukemia.