Acute Leukemia

Treatment of Children

Children with leukemia are treated in both Florida and Minnesota.

In Florida, care is provided through a partnership with Nemours Children's Clinic and Wolfson Children's Hospital.

In Minnesota, highly skilled pediatric hematologists treat children who have leukemia at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital.

Mayo Clinic is a member of the Children's Oncology Group, a cooperative association of more than 200 leading children's hospitals, university hospitals and cancer centers in the United States that are working to improve cure rates for cancer.

Treatment options

Treatments vary for the types of pediatric leukemia. The most common treatment is chemotherapy. It may be followed by radiation, if appropriate. Other therapies include stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.

Mayo is a nationally approved site to perform bone marrow and cord blood (stem cell) transplants for leukemia and other conditions. These transplants are conducted in Mayo's pediatric transplant unit, adjacent to the pediatric intensive care unit at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital. This arrangement allows young patients to receive high-quality care in a child-friendly environment.

In some situations, stem cell transplantation is advisable. The ideal donor is a matched family member. However, if such a donor is unavailable, stem cells from a matched unrelated donor, cord blood or a half-matched parent can be used.