Treatment of standard-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Treatment of newly diagnosed standard-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during the remission induction, consolidation/intensification, and maintenance phases always includes combination chemotherapy. Intrathecal chemotherapy is given to prevent the spread of leukemia cells to the brain and spinal cord.

For children with a poor response to treatment who are in remission after remission induction therapy, a stem cell transplant using stem cells from a donor may be done.

For children with a poor response to treatment who are not in remission after remission induction therapy, further treatment is usually the same treatment given to children with high-risk ALL.

Throughout treatment, it's important that your child take all medicines ordered by the doctor. Not taking the medicines as directed increases the chance the cancer will come back.