Is leukemia Fatal?
I was wondering if acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is usually fatal. I am doing an open research project and i chose childhood leukemia, but i just can't seem to find this answer. Nothing says it is fatal, but then nothing says it isn't fatal so....
- snugglebunny
Only 20-40% of adults with ALL are cured with current regimens. You can read some more info about it here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childALL/patient
- Amy
I am a pediatric nurse, and children, from toddlers to early teens, usually do well with this type of illness if properly treated with chemo. About 90% survive.
- Todd M
As Amy said Pediatric ALL is quite treatable, although the stats I've seen (from the SEER database) put the long term survival rate closer to 80% than 90%. Of course this means that 20% of the children still die from it.
The long term survival rate for Adult ALL is lower, but I'm not sure if it's as low as 20-40%. Those sound more like the survival rates for Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). ALL is a lot rarer in adults, so there's not as much data on which to base a conclusion. I do have a friend who was diagnosed with ALL five years ago and achieved a permanent remission w/ only Chemo and Radiation.
My daugher Alex (who's 8 now) was diagnosed with Pediatric AML when she was 10 months old and at the time we were quoted a long term survival rate of 30-40%. The survival rate today is still in the low 40's.
Alex is now 2 1/2 years post 2nd Cord Blood Transplant and aside from cataract surgery on one eye (the result of the targeted radiation for a Leukemic tumor) and continued medication for seizures (another unfortunate side effect of the radiation), she is your typical 8 year old. Albeit a 8 year old who has relapsed seven times, gone through two Cord Blood Transplants, and been treated with innumerable rounds of conventional chemo, experimental chemo, targeted radiation, total body irradiation, spinal cranial irradiation, etc...
Hope this helps.
-- Todd
P.S. You can read more about Alex's fight against Leukemia at http://www.alexupdate.com
Leukemia — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment of this blood-related cancer.
Do you find what you need? Look here!
Laura's Journey with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Laura has had ALL, treatment started on the 6th of Dec 06 and ended on 4 April 2009 this shares here courageous journey. We are so proud! Laura also has Down Syndrome she is 7 years old.
Leukemia — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment of this blood-related cancer.
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