Leukemia

Treatment of Children

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota offers accurate diagnosis and state-of-the-art care for children who have leukemia. Pediatric specialists from Hematology/Oncology and Transplantation work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. In Mayo's efficient system, patients can see multiple specialists and receive testing and treatment in days, not months.

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota offers a child-friendly environment, the latest treatments, and skilled pediatric hematologists who are national authorities on leukemia and other cancerous conditions. Pediatric patients receive high-quality care in Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital.

About Pediatric Leukemia

Leukemia, the most common childhood cancer, causes the body to make many abnormal white blood cells. Of the 2,000 cases diagnosed in the United States annually:

• About 70 percent are acute lymphoblastic leukemia (called ALL).
• About 20 percent are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
• About 5 percent are chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), similar to the adult form of CML.
• About 5 percent are juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML).

Leukemia's different types are related to the types of white blood cells affected.

Treatment Options

Treatments vary according to the type of leukemia. The most common treatment is chemotherapy, often followed by radiation. Other therapies include stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.

Mayo has been approved to perform bone marrow and cord blood (stem cell) transplants for leukemia and other conditions. These transplants are conducted in the pediatric transplant unit at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital.

Cure rates vary for different leukemias, but during the past three decades all cure rates have improved significantly. Factors that affect treatment success include:

• Age
• White blood cell count
• Chromosomal abnormalities

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

Treatment Team

Leukemia in children is treated by pediatric specialists in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center in Minnesota.