Childhood Leukemias

Treatment

Treatment for childhood leukemia depends on the type of leukemia and on prognostic factors that have been carefully determined by previous clinical trials. In general, childhood leukemias are treated with multi-agent chemotherapy including treatment of the central nervous system (CNS). Chemotherapy often includes steroids, vincristine, L-asparginase, methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, doxorubicin, cytarabine, and cyclophosphamide. Radiation and stem cell transplants are included in the treatment of some types of leukemia, especially in relapsed leukemia.

Statistics

• Leukemias are the most common type of childhood cancer.
• Approximately 2,400 children and adolescents younger than 20 years diagnosed with ALL each year in the United States . There is a sharp peak in incidence of ALL and AML for 2-3 year olds.
• Survival rates for childhood ALL in first remission are now approaching 80%.
• Survival rates for children with AML is in the 40% range and remains one of the poorest of childhood cancers. Much work remains to be done to improve outcomes for this group of patients.