Childhood Leukemia
Chapter 3: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
“Out of difficulties grow miracles.”
TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (ALL) is one of the major success stories of modern medicine. As recently as the 1960s, children with ALL usually lived only for a few months. Currently, 95% of children receiving optimal treatment attain remission, and the majority of those children are cured (defined as remaining in remission for at least five years after diagnosis).
This chapter covers risk factors for developing ALL, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The treatment section is divided into five parts:
- B-cell ALL
- T-cell ALL
- Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+) ALL
- Infant ALL
- Down syndrome and ALL
The chapter ends with ways to learn about the newest treatments available for childhood ALL.
Table of Contents
All Guides- Introduction
- 1. Diagnosis
- 2. Overview of Childhood Leukemia
- 3. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- 4. Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- 5. Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
- 6. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
- 7. Telling Your Child and Others
- 8. Choosing a Treatment
- 9. Coping with Procedures
- 10. Forming a Partnership with the Medical Team
- 11. Hospitalization
- 12. Central Venous Catheters
- 13. Chemotherapy and Other Medications
- 14. Common Side Effects of Treatment
- 15. Radiation Therapy
- 16. Stem Cell Transplantation
- 17. Siblings
- 18. Family and Friends
- 19. Communication and Behavior
- 20. School
- 21. Sources of Support
- 22. Nutrition
- 23. Insurance, Record-keeping, and Financial Assistance
- 24. End of Treatment and Beyond
- 25. Relapse
- 26. Death and Bereavement
- Appendix A. Blood Tests and What They Mean
- Appendix B. Resource Organizations
- Appendix C. Books, Websites, and Support Groups