Treatment for<unk>  is based on a number of factors, including the type of<unk> , characteristics of the<unk> , prognostic characteristics (children with worse prognostic characteristics receive more aggressive therapy, see Prognosis section), response to therapy, and extent of the disease at diagnosis. Treatment is typically managed by a team of health care professionals, consisting of pediatric oncologists, social workers, pediatric nurse specialists, and pediatricians among others. Types Young girl receiving chemotherapy treatment While the exact treatment plan is determined by the type of<unk>  and factors listed above, there are five types of therapies that are generally used to treat all<unk> s. Four of these are standard treatment and one is in clinical trials. The four specific types of treatments that are traditionally used are Chemotherapy, Stem cell transplant, Radiation therapy and Targeted therapy. Immunotherapy is another type of therapy that is currently in clinical trials. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemicals to interfere with the cancer cells ability to grow and reproduce. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other therapies. Chemotherapy can be given either as a pill to swallow orally, an injection into the fat or muscle, through an IV directly into the bloodstream or directly into the spinal column. Stem cell transplant is a process in which the blood-forming cells that are abnormal (like<unk>  cells) or that were destroyed by chemotherapy are replaced with healthy new blood-forming cells. A stem-cell transplant can help the human body produce more healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. It also reduces the risk of life-threatening conditions such as anemia, or hemorrhage. Stem cell transplants can be done by obtaining cells from the bone-marrow, blood or umbilical-cord blood. Stem cell transplants can use the cells from one's self, called an autologous stem cell transplant or they can use cells from another person, known as an allogenic stem cell transplant. The type used in<unk>  is typically allogenic. The donors used must be a match to the child getting the transplant by a marker called HLA Radiation therapy uses various types of radiation to kill cancer cells. Targeted therapy is the use of medication to specifically kill the cancerous cells. The medication is able to leave healthy normal cells alone while it targets the cancer. These include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), monoclonal antibodies, and proteasome inhibitors. Immunotherapy is a type of therapy that uses the child's own immune system to fight the cancer. This therapy is currently in clinical trials. ALL Treatment for<unk>  ALL consists of three phases: Induction, Consolidation/Intensification, and Maintenance. * Induction is intended to kill the large majority of the cancer cells. It typically lasts for 4–6 weeks and uses chemotherapy and glucocorticoids. After induction, the goal is to put the cancer into remission. Remission means that cancer is no longer detected in the bone marrow or blood and that normal cells have returned to the bone marrow. However, remission does not mean that the cancer is cured. It is thought there are still cancer cells that are hiding in the body, so more treatment is needed to kill them. * Consolidation/Intensification is used to kill any remaining cells that have the potential to become cancerous. It consists of more chemotherapy and lasts for a few months. * Maintenance is a lower intensity chemotherapy regimen that used to kill any more remaining cells in the bone marrow that could regrow into cancer cells and cause the<unk>  to come back. It lasts for 18–30 months. Immunotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, and targeted therapies may also be used in the treatment of ALL. This will depend on the extent of ALL, the characteristics of the ALL and if it has recurred (come back after initial treatment). AML<unk>  AML is a more challenging cancer to treat than<unk>  ALL.<unk>  AML treatment usually consists higher dose chemotherapy given over a shorter period of time compared to ALL treatment. Due to this shorter and more intense treatment, side effects are also more intense. These children are therefore treated in treatment centers or hospitals where they will stay for longer period of their treatment. Treatment for AML consists of 2 phases: Induction and Consolidation. There is no Maintenance phase of therapy in AML as it was not shown to lower chances of the cancer coming back. * Induction is aimed at killing<unk>  in the blood and bone marrow. Its goal is to put the cancer into remission. Treatments used in induction therapy for<unk>  AML may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, or other treatments as part of a clinical trial. The exact treatment will vary depending on characteristics of the child and the cancer. * Consolidation begins after remission is obtained and is aimed at killing any remaining cancer cells. It will again vary depending on specifics about the patient and cancer. It typically will consist of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. In addition to these treatments, there are also clinical trials of immunotherapy and targeted therapy for AML. The APL type of AML is also treated with all-trans retinoic acid or arsenic trioxide therapy in addition to what is listed above. Other<unk> s JMML is typically treated by chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. CML is typically treated with targeted therapy and possibly a stem cell transplant if it comes back or does not respond to the targeted therapy at first.
Childhood leukemia
Myeloid leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Lymphoid leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia
Acute leukemia
B-cell leukemia
Chronic leukemia