ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about the number of people who are diagnosed with ALL each year. You will also read general information on surviving the disease. Remember, survival rates depend on several factors. Use the menu to see other pages.

This year, an estimated 5,970 people of all ages (3,350 men and boys and 2,620 women and girls) in the United States will be diagnosed with ALL.

A person of any age can be diagnosed with ALL. ALL is most common before age 20, accounting for 75% of all leukemia diagnosed before that age. It is more common in children younger than 5. After a child grows into adulthood, the general risk of ALL rises again after age 50. About 4 out of every 10 people diagnosed with ALL are adults.

Although most cases of ALL occur in children, about 4 out of 5 deaths from ALL will occur in adults. An estimated 1,440 deaths (800 men and boys and 640 women and girls) will occur this year.

Advances in treatment have dramatically lengthened the lives of people with ALL. The 5-year survival rate tells you what percent of people live at least 5 years after the cancer is found. Percent means how many out of 100. The 5-year survival rate of people of all ages with ALL increased from 41% for those diagnosed from 1975 to 1977 to 71% for those diagnosed from 2006 to 2012. However, survival rates depend on several factors, including biologic features of the disease and a person’s age.

It is important to remember that statistics on the survival rates for people with ALL are an estimate. The estimate comes from annual data based on the number of people with this cancer in the United States. People should talk with their doctor if they have questions about this information. Also, experts measure the survival statistics every 5 years. So the estimate may not show the results of better diagnosis or treatment available for less than 5 years. Learn more about understanding statistics.

Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) publication, Cancer Facts & Figures 2017, and the ACS website.

The next section in this guide is Medical Illustrations. It offers drawings of body parts often affected by this disease. You may use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.  

ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing ALL. Use the menu to see other pages.

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. Knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.

The cause of ALL is not known. In general, ALL is most likely to affect children and older adults. The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing ALL:

• Age. Children younger than 15 and adults older than 50 are more likely to develop ALL.

• Race. White people are somewhat more likely than black people to develop ALL for reasons that are not understood.

• Genetic conditions. People with some genetic conditions have a higher risk of ALL than the general population. These conditions include the following syndromes:

• Down syndrome

• Ataxia telangiectasia

• Li-Fraumeni syndrome

• Klinefelter syndrome

• Fanconi anemia

• Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

• Bloom syndrome

• High doses of radiation. People who have been exposed to high levels of radiation may be more likely to develop ALL. This includes long-term survivors of atomic bombs. Exposure to electromagnetic fields or high-voltage electric lines has not been proven to increase a person’s risk of ALL. Cell phone use is not a known risk factor for ALL.

• Viruses. Occasionally, ALL or specific types of lymphoma can be associated with a previous viral infection. Such infections include human T-cell leukemia virus-1 or the Epstein-Barr virus.

According to recent research, many young children who develop ALL may have had genetic changes before birth that are signs of ALL, although it may take several years before the disease develops and causes symptoms. Researchers are studying this topic to learn more.

The next section in this guide is Symptoms and Signs. It explains what body changes or medical problems this disease can cause. You may use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.   

ON THIS PAGE: You will find a list of common tests, procedures, and scans that doctors use to find the cause of a medical problem. Use the menu to see other pages.

Doctors use many tests to find, or diagnose, cancer. They also do tests to learn if cancer has spread to another part of the body from where it started. If this happens, it is called metastasis. For example, imaging tests can show if the cancer has spread. Imaging tests show pictures of the inside of the body. Doctors may also do tests to learn which treatments could work best.

For most types of cancer, a biopsy is the only sure way for the doctor to know whether an area of the body has cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue for testing in a laboratory.  If a biopsy is not possible, the doctor may suggest other tests that will help make a diagnosis.

This list describes options for diagnosing this type of cancer. Not all tests listed below will be used for every person. Your doctor may consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test:

• The type of cancer suspected

• Your signs and symptoms

• Your age and medical condition

• The results of earlier medical tests

The following tests may be used to diagnose ALL:

• Blood tests. If your doctor suspects that you have ALL based on the symptoms, he or she may do a test called a complete blood count (CBC). This test examines the levels of different types of cells in the blood.

  Low levels of red blood cells and platelets are common in people with ALL, as are high, normal, or low levels of white blood cells. Changes in blood cell levels can also be a sign of another medical problem that is not leukemia. The blood may also be examined to find out if there are lymphoblasts or other abnormal cells.

• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. If the blood test shows abnormalities in the number or appearance of the white blood cells, you may need a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. These 2 procedures are similar and often done at the same time to examine the bone marrow. Bone marrow has both a solid and a liquid part. A bone marrow aspiration removes a sample of the fluid with a needle. A bone marrow biopsy is the removal of a small amount of solid tissue using a needle. If blood tests (see above) indicate ALL, it is better to have the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy at the hospital where treatment will be given so the test does not need to be done again.

  A pathologist analyzes the sample(s) removed during a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease. The sample is used to look for leukemia, and molecular testing and immunophenotyping (see below) may also be done.

  A common site for a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is the pelvic bone, which is located in the lower back by the hip. The skin in that area is usually numbed with medication beforehand. Other types of anesthesia (medication to block the awareness of pain) may also be used.

• Other testing. Your doctor may recommend running laboratory tests on the leukemia cells to identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the leukemia.

  Results of these tests will help decide whether your treatment options include a type of treatment called targeted therapy (see Treatment Options).

• Flow cytometry, also called immunophenotyping, and cytochemistry. These tests use chemicals or dyes on the cancer cells to learn more about the leukemia and its subtype. ALL cells have distinctive markers on their surface called cell surface proteins. The pattern of these markers is called the immunophenotype. These tests are used to distinguish ALL from healthy blood cells and from other types of leukemia, which can also involve lymphocytes. Both tests can be done from a blood sample.

• Karyotyping, or cytogenetics. This test examines a cell’s chromosomes. Chromosomes are long pieces of DNA that contain genes.

  People with ALL may have specific chromosomal changes, such as the addition or loss of certain chromosomes and translocations. A translocation is when parts of a chromosome have been moved to another chromosome. These changes can be found with special testing, such as a test called fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Approximately 25% of patients have a normal karyotype when diagnosed with ALL.

  About 20% to 30% of adults with ALL have a specific change in their chromosomes called the Philadelphia chromosome. The Philadelphia chromosome is an example of a small chromosome caused by a translocation. In this instance, it means that genetic material from chromosome 9 breaks off and attaches to chromosome 22 [t(9;22)]. Then, 2 specific genes called BCR and ABL join to make 1 gene called BCR-ABL. Some people may have other types of translocations. For example, many children with ALL have a translocation between chromosomes 12 and 21 [t(12;22)]. These genes are called TEL and AML1.

• Molecular assays. These tests may be able to find mutations in genes that cannot be seen with a microscope or found with cytogenetic tests. For example, patients with changes in the IKZF1 gene have a poorer long-term prognosis, which is the chance of recovery. Therefore, testing for these changes during diagnosis helps determine a patient’s treatment options.

• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). A lumbar puncture is a procedure in which a doctor uses a needle to take a sample of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to look at the make up of the fluid and to find out is it contains cancer cells or blood.

  ALL tends to spread to the CSF, which is the fluid that flows around the brain and spinal cord. This means that lumbar punctures are done regularly during ALL treatment. Also, chemotherapy (see Treatment Options) may be given in the CSF.

  Doctors generally give an anesthetic to numb the lower back before the procedure.

• Imaging tests. The following imaging tests may be used to learn more about the cause of symptoms. They may also help diagnose infections in patients with ALL.

• Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan. A CT scan creates a 3-dimensional picture of the inside of the body using x-rays taken from different angles. A computer combines these images into a detailed, cross-sectional view that shows any abnormalities or tumors. Sometimes, a contrast medium (a special dye) is injected into a patient’s vein or given orally (by mouth) to provide better detail.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body. A contrast medium may be injected into a patient’s vein or given orally (by mouth) to create a clearer picture.

• Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET-CT scan. A PET scan is usually combined with a CT scan (see above), called a PET-CT scan. However, you may hear your doctor refer to this procedure just as a PET scan. A PET scan is a way to create pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. A small amount of a radioactive substance is injected into a patient’s body. This substance is absorbed mainly by organs and tissues that use the most energy. Because cancer tends to use energy actively, it absorbs more of the radioactive substance. A scanner then detects this substance to produce images of the inside of the body.

After diagnostic tests are done, your doctor will review all of the results with you. If the diagnosis is ALL, results can also help the doctor describe the disease. This is called classification.

The next section in this guide is Subtypes and Classification. It explains the system doctors use to describe the extent of the disease. You may use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.

ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about the different treatments doctors use for people with ALL. Use the menu to see other pages.

This section tells you the treatments that are the standard of care for this type of leukemia. “Standard of care” means the best treatments known. When making treatment plan decisions, patients are encouraged to consider clinical trials as an option. A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new approach to treatment. Doctors want to learn whether the new treatment is safe, effective, and possibly better than the standard treatment. Clinical trials can test a new drug, a new combination of standard treatments, or new doses of standard drugs or other treatments. Your doctor can help you consider all your treatment options. To learn more about clinical trials, see the About Clinical Trials and Latest Research sections.

Treatment overview

In cancer care, different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different types of treatments. This is called a multidisciplinary team. Cancer care teams include a variety of other health care professionals, such as physician assistants, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, and others.

Descriptions of the most common treatment options for ALL are listed below. Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the subtype and classification of ALL, possible side effects, the patient’s preferences and overall health. Your care plan may also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of cancer care. Take time to learn about all of your treatment options and be sure to ask questions about things that are unclear. Talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment and what you can expect while receiving the treatment. Learn more about making treatment decisions.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by ending the cancer cells’ ability to grow and divide.

Chemotherapy is given by a medical oncologist or a hematologist. A medical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders.

Systemic chemotherapy gets into the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Common ways to give chemotherapy include:

• An intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle. It may be given into a larger vein or a smaller vein, such as in the arm. When it is given into a larger vein, a central venous catheter or port may need to be placed in the body.

• An injection given into a muscle

• In a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally)

A chemotherapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. Patients with ALL receive several different drugs throughout their treatment.

A patient may receive chemotherapy during different stages of treatment:

• Remission induction therapy. This is the first round of treatment given during the first 3 to 4 weeks after diagnosis. It is designed to destroy most of the leukemia cells, stop symptoms of the disease, and return the blood counts to normal levels.

The specific treatments used may include:

• Daunorubicin (Cerubidine)

• Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide (Neosar), or vincristine (Vincasar), given by an injection into a vein

• Asparaginase (Elspar) or Pegasparaginase (Oncaspar), given by injection into a muscle, under the skin or into a vein

• Dexamethasone (multiple brand names) or prednisone (multiple brand names) by mouth

• Methotrexate (multiple brand names) or cytarabine (Cytosar-U) as an injection into the spinal fluid

• Treatments that targeted the Philadelphia chromosome (see Targeted therapy, below)

The goal of induction therapy is a complete remission (CR). This means that the blood counts have returned to normal, the leukemia cannot be seen when a bone marrow sample is examined under the microscope, and the signs and symptoms of the ALL are gone. More than 95% of children and 75% to 80% of adults with ALL will have a CR.

However, small amounts of leukemia can remain after treatment even if it cannot be seen with a microscope. For this reason, it is necessary to give additional therapy to prevent the ALL from coming back. Techniques can be used to find small amounts of leukemia, called minimal residual disease (MRD). These are used to help predict a patient’s prognosis and guide treatment options.

• Remission consolidation or intensification therapy. This stage of therapy involves the use of a combination of drugs. The drugs may be different or have different doses than those used to achieve remission. Some drugs may be the same as what was given during remission induction therapy. Depending on the subtype of the ALL, the doctor may recommend several courses of consolidation therapy.

• Remission maintenance or continuation therapy. Treatment is given both orally and by IV for 2 to 3 years to keep the ALL from returning. These drugs are usually given in lower doses and have fewer side effects.

• Central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis (preventive treatment). This is the use of drugs to prevent the leukemia from spreading from the blood to the brain or spinal cord. They are given directly in the spinal fluid by spinal tap (lumbar puncture; see Diagnosis) and/or by vein. This treatment may be used for a few patients who have leukemia in the CNS when first diagnosed or for some patients with recurrent ALL. This treatment may be given along with radiation therapy to the head and spine. 

• Re-induction chemotherapy. This stage is used to treat ALL if it has come back after treatment. It is also used if a person still has signs of ALL after remission induction therapy.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells.

Recent studies show that not all cancers have the same targets. To find the most effective treatment, your doctor may run tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other factors involved in your leukemia. This helps doctors better match each patient with the most effective treatment whenever possible. In addition, many research studies are taking place now to find out more about specific molecular targets and new treatments directed at them. Learn more about the basics of targeted treatments.

For ALL, targeted therapy is recommended in addition to standard chemotherapy for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL (Ph+ ALL). Such drugs include:

• Imatinib (Gleevec)

• Dasatinib (Sprycel)

• Nilotinib (Tasigna)

Other targeted therapy drugs used for ALL include:

• Ponatinib (Iculsig) for Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL

• Nelarabine (Arranon), a new drug that targets T-cell ALL

• Rituximab (Rituxan), used in addition to chemotherapy for the treatment of B-cell ALL

• Blinatumumab (Blincyto)

• Inotuzumab ozogamicin

Talk with your doctor about possible side effects for a specific medication and how they can be managed.

Side effects of chemotherapy and targeted therapy

Induction therapy usually begins in the hospital. Patients will often need to stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 weeks during treatment. However, depending on the situation, many patients can leave the hospital. Those who do, usually need to visit the doctor regularly during treatment.

Some patients will need to stay in the hospital for consolidation therapy but most are able to go home. Many patients with ALL can return to school or work while receiving maintenance therapy.

Chemotherapy attacks rapidly dividing cells, including those in healthy tissue such as the hair, lining of the mouth, intestines, and bone marrow. This means that patients receiving chemotherapy may lose their hair, develop mouth sores, or have nausea and vomiting.

Because of changes in the blood counts, most patients will need transfusions of red blood cells and platelets at some point during their treatment. Treatment with antibiotics to prevent or treat infection is usually needed as well. Chemotherapy may lower the body’s resistance to infection by reducing the number of neutrophils. It can also cause bruising and bleeding because of the decrease in the number of platelets and other problems with blood clotting. Chemotherapy may cause fatigue by lowering the number of red blood cells.

Chemotherapy may affect fertility, which is the ability to have a child in the future, and it increases the risk of developing a second cancer. Patients may want to talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins, as there are options available to help preserve fertility. Learn more about the basics of chemotherapy and preparing for treatment.

The side effects of targeted therapy include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, edema or swelling in the legs or around the eyes, and, rarely, fluid in the lungs. The side effects of targeted therapies for ALL are usually not severe and can be managed.

The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for you, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. Learn more about your prescriptions by using searchable drug databases.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist. A radiation therapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period of time. For ALL, radiation therapy to the brain is sometimes used to destroy cancerous cells around the brain and spinal column.

Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished. Learn more about the basics of radiation therapy.

Stem cell transplantation/bone marrow transplantation

A stem cell transplant is a medical procedure in which bone marrow that contains leukemia is destroyed and then replaced by highly specialized cells, called hematopoietic stem cells, that develop into healthy bone marrow. Hematopoietic stem cells are blood-forming cells found both in the bloodstream and in the bone marrow. These stem cells make all of the healthy cells in the blood. Today, this procedure is more commonly called a stem cell transplant, rather than bone marrow transplant, because it is the stem cells in the blood that are typically being transplanted, not the actual bone marrow tissue.

Before recommending transplantation, doctors will talk with the patient about the risks of this treatment and consider several other factors, such as the type of cancer, results of any previous treatment, and patient’s age and general health.

There are 2 types of stem cell transplantation depending on the source of the replacement blood stem cells: allogeneic (ALLO) and autologous (AUTO). ALLO uses donated stem cells, while AUTO uses the patient’s own stem cells. However, AUTO transplants are generally not used to treat ALL. In both types, the goal is to destroy all of the cancer cells in the marrow, blood, and other parts of the body using high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and then allow replacement blood stem cells to create healthy bone marrow.

Side effects depend on the type of transplant, your general health, and other factors. Learn more about the basics of stem cell and bone marrow transplantation.

Getting care for symptoms and side effects

ALL and its treatment often cause side effects. In addition to treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate the disease, an important part of care is relieving a person’s symptoms and the side effects of treatment. This approach is called palliative or supportive care, and it includes supporting the patient with his or her physical, emotional, and social needs.

Palliative care is any treatment that focuses on reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and supporting patients and their families. Any person, regardless of age or type and stage of cancer, may receive palliative care. It works best when palliative care is started as early as needed in the cancer treatment process. People often receive treatment for the leukemia at the same time that they receive treatment to ease side effects. In fact, patients who receive both at the same time often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report they are more satisfied with treatment.

Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional support, and other therapies. You may also receive palliative treatments similar to those meant to eliminate the leukemia, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment in the treatment plan.

Before treatment begins, talk with your health care team about the possible side effects of your specific treatment plan and palliative care options. During and after treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or another health care team member if you are experiencing a problem so it can be addressed as quickly as possible. Learn more about palliative care.

Refractory ALL

Refractory ALL occurs when a complete remission is not achieved because the drugs did not destroy enough leukemia cells. These patients often continue to have low blood counts, need transfusions, and have a risk of bleeding or infection.

If you are diagnosed with refractory leukemia, it is a good idea to talk with doctors who have experience in treating it. Doctors can have different opinions about the best standard treatment plan. Also, clinical trials might be an option. Learn more about getting a second opinion before starting treatment, so you are comfortable with your chosen treatment plan chosen.

Your treatment plan may include new drugs being tested in clinical trials or ALLO stem cell transplantation. Palliative care will also be important to help relieve symptoms and side effects.

For most patients, a diagnosis of refractory leukemia is very stressful and, at times, difficult to bear. Patients and their families are encouraged to talk about the way they are feeling with doctors, nurses, social workers, or other members of the health care team. It may also be helpful to talk with other patients, including through a support group.

Remission and the chance of recurrence

A remission is when ALL cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms. This may also be called having “no evidence of disease” or NED. 

A remission may be temporary or permanent. This uncertainty causes many people to worry that the cancer will come back. While many remissions are permanent, it’s important to talk with your doctor about the possibility of the leukemia returning. Understanding your risk of recurrence and the treatment options may help you feel more prepared if the disease does return. Learn more about coping with the fear of recurrence.   

If the leukemia does return after the original treatment, it is called recurrent or relapsed leukemia. When this occurs, a new cycle of testing will begin again to learn as much as possible about the recurrence. After this testing is done, you and your doctor will talk about your treatment options. Often the treatment plan will include the treatments described above, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy, but they may be used in a different combination or given at a different pace. Your doctor may suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat recurrent ALL. Whichever treatment plan you choose, palliative care will be important for relieving symptoms and side effects.

Treatment for recurrent ALL depends on the length of the remission and is usually given in cycles for 2 to 3 years. If a recurrence occurs after a long remission, the leukemia may respond again to the original treatment. If the remission was short, then other drugs are used. These are often new drugs being tested in clinical trials.

An ALLO stem cell transplant is generally recommended for patients whose leukemia has come back after a second remission. The drug clofarabine (Clolar) may be used for patients between ages 1 and 21 who have recurrent or refractory ALL after already receiving at least 2 types of chemotherapy. Liposomal vincristine (Marqibo) may also be an option. Supportive care will also be important to help relieve symptoms and side effects.

People with recurrent leukemia often experience emotions such as disbelief or fear. Patients are encouraged to talk with their health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help them cope. Learn more about dealing with cancer recurrence.

If treatment doesn’t work

Recovery from leukemia is not always possible. If the cancer cannot be cured or controlled, the disease may be called advanced or terminal.

This diagnosis is stressful because the disease is not curable, and for many people, advanced ALL is difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your doctor and health care team to express your feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team is there to help, and many team members have special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families. Making sure a person is physically comfortable and free from pain is extremely important.

Patients who have advanced leukemia and who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider a type of palliative care called hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are near the end of life. You and your family are encouraged to talk with the health care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families. Learn more about advanced cancer care planning.

After the death of a loved one, many people need support to help them cope with the loss. Learn more about grief and loss.

The next section in this guide is About Clinical Trials. It offers more information about research studies that are focused on finding better ways to care for people with cancer. You may use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.

ON THIS PAGE: You will read about the scientific research being done now to learn more about ALL and how to treat it. Use the menu to see other pages.

Doctors are working to learn more about ALL, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Most cancer centers are actively involved in clinical trials aimed at increasing the rate of cure for people with ALL. Always talk with your doctor about the best diagnostic and treatment options for you.

• New drugs and treatment regimens. Researchers are looking at the use of new types of chemotherapy, as well as different schedules and doses of current drugs. The drug clofarabine has been approved for children with recurrent ALL and is being researched for adults with ALL. The drug bortezomib (Velcade) is also being researched as an option for adults with ALL. In addition, several studies have shown that adolescents and younger to middle-aged adults benefit from the more intensive treatments most often used for younger children with ALL.

• Immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, is designed to boost the body’s natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses materials either made by the body or in a laboratory to improve, target, or restore immune system function. Researchers are studying the use of different antibodies directed against ALL cells, including inotuzumab ozogamicin, blinatumomab, rituximab, and alemtuzumab (Campath). In addition, researchers are looking at a new therapy called chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy or CAR T-cell therapy that uses the patient’s T-cells to attack the leukemia cells.

• Stem cell/bone marrow transplantation. Different ways to make stem cell transplantation (see Treatment Options) safer and easier are also being studied.

• Tests to detect small amounts of ALL after treatment. Researchers are studying other molecular or immunologic tests that can help find small amounts of ALL in patients in remission. Then, a change in treatment may prevent the ALL from coming back.

• Palliative care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current ALL treatments to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life.

Looking for More About the Latest Research?

If you would like additional information about the latest areas of research regarding leukemia, explore these related items that take you outside of this guide:

• To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trial databases now.
  

• Visit the website of the Conquer Cancer Foundation to find out how to help support cancer research. Please note that this link takes you to a separate ASCO website.

The next section in this guide is Coping with Treatment. It offers some guidance in how to cope with the physical, emotional, and social changes that ALL and its treatment can bring. You may use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.

ON THIS PAGE: You will read about your medical care after treatment for ALL is completed, and why this follow-up care is important. Use the menu to see other pages.

Care for people diagnosed with ALL doesn’t end when active treatment has finished. Your health care team will continue to check to make sure the disease has not returned, manage any side effects, and monitor your overall health. This is called follow-up care.

Your follow-up care may include regular physical examinations, medical tests, or both. Doctors want to keep track of your recovery in the months and years ahead. Learn more about the importance of follow-up care.

Watching for recurrence

One goal of follow-up care is to check for a recurrence. ALL recurs because a few leukemia cells may remain undetected in the body. Over time, these cells may increase in number until they show up on test results or cause signs or symptoms. During follow-up care, a doctor familiar with your medical history can give you personalized information about your risk of recurrence. Your doctor will ask specific questions about your health. Some people may have blood tests or imaging tests done as part of regular follow-up care, but testing recommendations depend on several factors including the subtype of ALL originally diagnosed and the types of treatment given.

The anticipation before having a follow-up test or waiting for test results can add stress to you or a family member. This is sometimes called “scan-xiety.” Learn more about how to cope with this type of stress.

Managing long-term and late side effects

Most people expect to experience side effects when receiving treatment. However, it is often surprising to survivors that some side effects may linger beyond the treatment period. These are called long-term side effects. Other side effects called late effects may develop months or even years afterwards. Long-term and late effects can include both physical and emotional changes.

Talk with your doctor about your risk of developing such side effects based on the type of leukemia, your individual treatment plan, and your overall health. If you had a treatment known to cause specific late effects, you may have certain physical examinations, scans, or blood tests to help find and manage them.

Keeping personal health records

You and your doctor should work together to develop a personalized follow-up care plan. Be sure to discuss any concerns you have about your future physical or emotional health. ASCO offers forms to help create a treatment summary to keep track of the treatment you received and develop a survivorship care plan when treatment is completed.

This is also a good time to decide who will lead your follow-up care. Some survivors continue to see their oncologist, while others transition back to the care of their family doctor or another health care professional. This decision depends on several factors, including subtype and classification of ALL, side effects, health insurance rules, and your personal preferences.

If a doctor who was not directly involved in your care for ALL will lead your follow-up care, be sure to share your treatment summary and survivorship care plan forms with him or her, and with all future health care providers. Details about your treatment are very valuable to the health care professionals who will care for you throughout your lifetime.

The next section in this guide is Survivorship. It describes how to cope with challenges in everyday life after a diagnosis of ALL. You may use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.

ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of your health care team, to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.

Talking often with your health care team is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you. You may want to print this list and bring it to your next appointment, or download Cancer.Net’s free mobile app for a digital list and other interactive tools to manage your care.

Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis

• What is my diagnosis? What does this mean?

• What subtype of ALL do I have?

• What classification is it?

• Can you recommend a leukemia specialist?

• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?

• Do I need to start treatment right away?

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects

• Where is the best place for me to receive treatment?

• What are my options for treatment?

• What clinical trials are available for me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more about them?

• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

• What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the leukemia, manage the symptoms and side effects, or both?

• How long will treatment last?

• How likely is it that my ALL will go into remission?

• Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?

• Who will be leading my overall treatment?

• What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?

• Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?

• Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins?

• How will the treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?

• If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?

• What support services are available to me? To my family?

• Whom should I call with questions or problems?

• Is there anything else I should be asking?

Questions to ask about having chemotherapy,  targeted therapy, and radiation therapy

• What type of treatment is recommended?

• What is the goal of this treatment?

• How long will it take to give this treatment?

• Will I need to stay in the hospital at specific times during treatment?

• What side effects can I expect during treatment?

• What are the possible long-term effects of having this treatment?

• What can be done to relieve the side effects?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

• What is the chance that the ALL will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?

• What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the treatment I received?

• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?

• How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my personal records?

• Who will be leading my follow-up care?

• What survivorship support services are available to me? To my family?

The next section in this guide is Additional Resources. It offers some more resources on this website beyond this guide that may be helpful to you. You may use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.