Former Made In Chelsea star Diego Bivero-Volpe recently confirmed his two-year-old daughter had passed away after battling cancer.
Bivero-Volpe, who is married to Charlotte Carroll, explained that the couple’s baby, Aurelia, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
Although Aurelia underwent intensive treatment and chemotherapy, the family was told that her cancer had spread and the child tragically passed away earlier this month.
What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer that targets white blood cells in the bone marrow.
According to Cancer Research UK, it’s most common in babies and younger children but adults can also be diagnosed. The medical community is unsure of what causes ALL or how to prevent it.
Latest studies reveal that there are around 790 new cases of ALL diagnosed in the country each year.
When a cancer is identified as acute, it means the cancer tends to spread quickly. In this case, the cancerous cells build up in the blood and bone marrow before spreading to other parts of the body.
However, Cancer Research UK also highlights that there’s been huge progress in treatment and more than 90% of people diagnosed with ALL survive for at least 5 years after diagnosis.
What are the signs of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?
The Mayo Clinic explains that there are a number of symptoms that might point to ALL. However, some symptoms might also be very similar to the flu.
Unfortunately, most symptoms associated with ALL tend to be quite vague. The best way to tell if symptoms are related to ALL is to seek medical attention. Symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia could include:
- Fever
- Bleeding gums
- Pain in your bones
- Frequent infections
- Swollen lymph nodes in and around the neck, armpits, abdomen or groin
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue and low energy
If you notice an unusual change in your child or suspect any symptoms that could be related to Leukaemia, it’s best to seek medical advice.
How can you treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?
The main way to combat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia is through chemotherapy. However, treatment can vary depending on how old your child is and other risk factors such as white blood cell count.
Treatment for ALL is usually broken up into multiple treatment stages including induction, consolidation, interim maintenance, delayed intensification, and maintenance.
Cancer Research UK has also revealed that there’s a clinical trial that is looking into treatment options for people diagnosed with ALL.
