Living with Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
A cancer of the blood and bone marrow in children, where immature white blood cells grow in large numbers and do not work well.
Understanding Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
In children with this condition, the bone marrow makes too many immature white blood cells (lymphoblasts, B lymphocytes, or T lymphocytes). These cells do not work normally and have trouble fighting infections.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from child to child. GARD says they may include:
- Fever
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Bone or joint pain
- Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin
- Weakness and tiredness (fatigue)
- Loss of appetite
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.
Also known as: childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia; childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia; childhood acute lymphogenous leukaemia; childhood acute lymphogenous leukemia; childhood acute lymphoid leukaemia; childhood acute lymphoid leukemia
Patient organizations
- Alex's Lemonade Stand FoundationChildhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia · United States
- Blood Cancer UnitedChildhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia · United States
- HealthTree FoundationChildhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia · United States
- The National Children's Cancer SocietyChildhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Explore research for Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Explore actively recruiting Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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