Bone Marrow Transplants Crucial for Rare Childhood Blood Cancer JMML

• Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML) is a rare, aggressive blood cancer in toddlers, caused by acquired DNA mutations.
• JMML symptoms, often mistaken for common childhood illnesses, include persistent fever, skin rashes, pale skin, easy bruising, frequent infections, and a swollen belly.
• Diagnosis involves blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and genetic testing to identify specific mutations.
• An allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant) is the most effective treatment for JMML, offering the best chance for a cure.
• While bone marrow transplants carry risks like graft-versus-host disease and infections, early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes in JMML.

Why It Matters: Early detection and bone marrow transplants offer hope for children with rare blood cancer.