Curing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Without Cranial Radiation

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. This cancer of which effects the white blood cells just like all leukemias is usually amasses around the central nervous system. Curing acute lymphoblastic leukemia has long been a matter of chemotherapy and cranial radiation which has side effects including stunted growth and cognitive deficits. With the latest research, researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have found that cranial radiation is not necessary for children who are suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia thus reducing some of the negative side effects that have long been so common for these children.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia can be safely treated with the use of chemotherapy only rather than a combination of chemo and a series of radiation therapies such as cranial radiation. The newest form of treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia sufferers comes with a success or cure rate of 90 percent which is higher than any previous rates of ALL cure to date. In addition to the high cure rate offered by advanced chemotherapy treatment to patients with ALL they are also given a chance of an increased quality of life thanks to the reduced side effects of chemotherapy versus traditional cranial radiation and other forms of radiation that have long been used to treat this leukemia.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is proud to state that they can increase the survival rate of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia from a current 50% to a possible 90% with increased life quality and no need for radiation. Optimized chemotherapy can now be effectively used to treat and cure acute childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia without ending in the negative side effects such as damage to the central nervous system.

What this Means for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Sufferers and Parents:

Parents and children who are suffering from this very common type of childhood leukemia can now be assured that a diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia does not guarantee a long term fight against increased therapy related side effects such as brain function depletion and other central nervous system related disorders. A specialized and optimized chemotherapy plan of treatment can now be used to treat children with ALL.

Say No to Side Effects of Treatment:

The side effects of brain irradiation or radiation therapy that was traditionally used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia include radiation dermatitis, cerebral edema, somnolence syndrome which includes extreme sleepiness paired with nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Additional side effects of the irradiation of the brain and or spine associated with the cranial radiation treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia include brain metastasis, neurocognitive effects, cataracts, and acute hearing loss. The newest research from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital finds that many of these side effects will be depleted completely with increased use of optimized chemotherapy to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia versus brain and spinal irradiation.

Sources:
ALL Curable without Preventative Radiation, www.stjude.org

Complications of Brain Radiation, www.aboutcancer.com