Leukemia in Children
When a child has a leukemia, a family's world can come to a screeching halt. At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we help your family navigate this journey, providing your child the expert care and support needed to heal and cope with the challenges of treatment.
A cancer diagnosis is baffling for many families, but you are not alone. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens, accounting for about 1 out of 3 pediatric cancers. Thanks to advances in medicine, most children with leukemia survive the disease and go on to live full lives.
The SLUCare Physician Group hematology-oncology team at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital specialize in providing compassionate, complete care for children with leukemia. Taking an integrated approach, we offer state-of-the-art treatment and follow-up care - all in a child-friendly environment that puts the needs of your child first.
Signs & Symptoms of Leukemia
Symptoms of leukemia can often resemble other blood disorders or medical problems. That’s why it’s important to consult with your child’s doctor immediately if you detect any common signs of leukemia, including:
- Recurrent infections
- Anemia
- Bleeding
- Bone and joint pain
- Abdominal pain and distress
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty breathing
Most childhood leukemias are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). A majority of the remaining cases are acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chronic leukemias (CML) are rare in children. With ALL or AML, symptoms may occur suddenly, in a matter of days or weeks. With chronic leukemia CML, symptoms may develop slowly over months and even years.
Diagnosing Pediatric Leukemia
If a doctor suspects your child has leukemia, our team will conduct specific tests to determine the cause of the symptoms. In addition to a physical exam, your child’s doctor may run:
- Blood tests
- A bone marrow test
- A spinal tap (to test the cerebrospinal fluid)
- A biopsy of the lymph nodes.
If leukemia is found, further testing will be needed to determine the type and how it should be treated. Early diagnosis greatly improves the chances of a successful outcome.
Treating Leukemia in Children
At Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, we use genetic profiling for individual treatment to better respond to your child’s specific case. We are dedicated to treating the whole child, offering them the full benefit of our expertise across multiple specialties. For children receiving prolonged treatment, our facilities provide a comfortable and friendly environment with a staff solely focused on their wellbeing. No matter your child’s condition, we help you navigate this challenging time and offer the best treatment options, including:
- Chemotherapy - first line of treatment for most common types of childhood leukemia
- Intrathecal therapy – used to protect a child’s nervous system during chemotherapy
- Blood and marrow (stem cell) transplant* – recommended when chemotherapy hasn’t led to remission
- Radiation therapy – used when appropriate
- CAR-T therapy - used when patient is eligible
*The stem cell transplant program at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital maintains one of the highest survival rates among similarly sized centers.
Your child’s multi-disciplinary care team works together, to provide the best care possible while reducing the impact of treatment on your child’s overall health.
CAR T-cell Therapy
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital now offers CAR T-cell therapy for eligible children, adolescents and young adults up to the age of 25 diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that enhances T-cells to help the body fight cancer cells and is not the right treatment for every patient.
Your doctor will consider the type of cancer, past treatments and your overall health before recommending CAR T-cell therapy. For more information about CAR T-cell therapy, please call 314-268-4000.
Recovering From Leukemia
Because of innovations in treatment, the survival rate of children with leukemia is well over half of all cases. While each case varies depending on the child’s prognosis, immediate and aggressive therapy provides the best outcome.
Treatment involving chemotherapy and radiation can continue for months to years. Throughout this journey, we provide your family the continuous follow-up care necessary to fight the disease. We help you cope with the effects of treatment, offering spiritual and mental support in addition to programs we have developed to improve your child’s overall health.
With the right care, your child is likely to return to their normal activities and live a full life. In the case of recurrent cancer, your child might be able to participate in clinical trials& and the newest treatment medications. No matter your child’s condition, we provide the full spectrum of expertise and care you can count on.
Your child’s primary care physician is likely to be the first doctor to refer you to our leukemia treatment program. We see children of all ages and at every stage of their journey. To schedule an appointment, or learn more about our services, contact our team today.