Treatment of adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Adolescents and young adults are usually considered to have high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Treatment of newly diagnosed ALL in adolescents and young adults during the remission induction, consolidation/intensification, and maintenance phases always includes combination chemotherapy. Adolescents and young adults with ALL are given more anticancer drugs and higher doses of anticancer drugs than children in the standard-risk group.

Intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy are given to prevent or treat the spread of leukemia cells to the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes radiation therapy to the brain is also given.

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.