Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Childhood leukemia

Cancers of the blood cells that start in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells.

Understanding Childhood leukemia

Childhood leukemia is a group of cancers of the blood cells that start in blood-forming tissues such as the bone marrow.

Bone marrow makes white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. White blood cells fight infection, red blood cells carry oxygen, and platelets help blood clot. In leukemia, the marrow makes large numbers of abnormal cells, most often white blood cells. These build up in the marrow and blood and crowd out healthy cells.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet.

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
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 Blood Cancer United 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
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Which type of leukemia does my child have?
How might low blood counts affect infections, tiredness, or bleeding?
Who should we contact with questions or concerns?

Quick facts

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Also known as: childhood leukaemia (disease); childhood leukemia (disease); leukaemia (disease) of childhood; leukemia (disease) of childhood; paediatric leukaemia (disease); pediatric leukemia (disease)

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Childhood leukemiaGARD ID 23954 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Childhood leukemia.

Explore the Childhood leukemia blog

Explore research for Childhood leukemia

Explore actively recruiting Childhood leukemia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Childhood 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

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Childhood leukemia studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Childhood leukemia

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Childhood leukemia

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Childhood leukemia experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.