Leukaemia treatment journey overview in children

Overview

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, where abnormal white blood cells grow too quickly and crowd out healthy cells. The treatment journey for a child with leukaemia is a step-by-step process that includes several phases, aiming to get the child into remission (no signs of cancer) and keep them cancer-free.

Leukaemia is rare in absolute terms, but it is the most common type of cancer in children.

It can affect any child, including toddlers and teenagers. The most common peak age is between 2 and 5 years, but some types are more common in older children.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest
• Pale skin or looking very pale
• Easy bruising or tiny red spots on the skin
• Frequent infections that take a long time to go away

Symptoms in children

• Bone or joint pain, especially in the legs
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Fever that comes and goes without a clear cause

Symptoms in older adults

• This guide focuses on children. In older adults, leukaemia may show up as gradual tiredness, shortness of breath, or more frequent infections, but the treatment journey is different.

Causes

Main causes

• The exact cause of childhood leukaemia is still not fully understood.
• It begins with changes (mutations) in the DNA of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow.
• These changes cause cells to divide without control, preventing healthy blood cells from forming.

Risk factors

• Certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, can increase the risk.
• Previous treatment with chemotherapy or radiation for another cancer is a known risk factor.
• Being exposed to high levels of radiation (rare in everyday life) raises risk.
• Most children who develop leukaemia have no known risk factors at all.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any of the emergency or urgent symptoms listed above should prompt a call to your child’s healthcare provider right away.
• If your child has been diagnosed and shows signs of severe infection or bleeding, get emergency care immediately.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If your child has persistent tiredness, unexplained bruising, or a fever that keeps coming back, make a routine appointment to get it checked.
• During and after treatment, attend all scheduled appointments so the care team can monitor your child closely.

Diagnosis

A doctor will start with a full medical history and physical exam, then order blood tests. If leukaemia is suspected, a bone marrow biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis and find the exact subtype.

Tests that may be done

• Complete blood count (CBC) to check levels of red cells, white cells, and platelets
• Blood smear to look at the shape of blood cells under a microscope
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy — a small sample of marrow from the hip bone is taken for testing
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check if leukaemia cells are in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord
• Genetic tests on the leukaemia cells to guide treatment decisions

What to expect at your appointment

If your child is diagnosed, you will meet a specialist team led by a pediatric oncologist. They will explain the type of leukaemia, discuss treatment options, and help you create a plan. Expect many tests and appointments, but the team will support you step by step.

Treatment

Treatment for childhood leukaemia is given in phases. The goal is to remove as many cancer cells as possible, then continue with treatment to prevent return, and finally maintain a cancer-free state. The whole journey usually lasts several years, but many children go on to live full, healthy lives.

Self-care at home

• Follow the care team’s advice about hand-washing and avoiding people who are sick.
• Make sure your child rests when tired but stays gently active when feeling well.
• Offer small, nutritious meals and plenty of fluids to help the body cope with treatment.
• Keep a calendar of appointments, medicines, and test results to stay organized.
• Ask for help with housework, childcare, or errands so you have energy to support your child.

Medical treatments

The main treatment is chemotherapy, which uses medicines to kill cancer cells. It is usually given in several phases and can be injected, taken by mouth, or given through a central line. Other approaches may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and in some high-risk cases, a stem cell transplant. Radiation therapy is sometimes used when leukaemia has spread to the brain or spinal cord. Your child’s care team will explain the best plan for their specific situation.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely used to treat leukaemia itself. It may be used to place a small tube called a central line (a special tube inserted into a large vein) that makes it easier to give medications and take blood samples.

Living with this condition

Your child’s daily routine will change during treatment. There will be hospital visits, regular blood tests, and times when you need to protect your child from infections. Many children continue to attend school when they feel well, and many families develop a new rhythm that works for them.

Lifestyle tips

• Encourage gentle play and activities when your child feels up to it, such as walking, drawing, or quiet games.
• Avoid large crowds and anyone with a cold or infection, especially in the early phases of treatment.
• Use sun protection and follow any specific advice from the care team.
• Keep good oral hygiene and let the dentist know about your child’s treatment.

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet helps support your child’s strength. Offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. If your child has a poor appetite, try small, frequent meals and ask a dietitian for advice. Physical activity should be light and based on how your child feels — walking or short stretches are good choices.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

A cancer diagnosis and treatment are stressful for the whole family. Your child may feel anxious, scared, or frustrated. It is normal to have mixed feelings. Peer support, play therapy, and speaking with a child psychologist can make a big difference. Parents and siblings also need emotional support — don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent leukaemia in children. Since the cause is mostly unknown, there are no proven lifestyle changes that can lower a child’s risk.

Vaccines

Vaccines cannot prevent leukaemia, but staying up to date with routine childhood immunisations can help prevent infections that make treatment harder. Always talk to your child’s oncologist before giving any vaccine during treatment.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for leukaemia in children. Regular check-ups and early attention to symptoms remain the best approach.

Complications

If left untreated

• Leukaemia will continue to grow, leaving the child without enough healthy blood cells.
• Serious infections can spread throughout the body.
• Bleeding in the brain or other organs can happen due to low platelets.
• The disease can eventually become life-threatening.

Long-term outlook

With modern treatments, most children with leukaemia are cured. The survival rate for the most common type has now exceeded 90% in many countries. Some children may experience long-term side effects, but many live healthy, active lives well into adulthood. The journey is tough, but there is real hope — and you are not alone.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.