Treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Main treatments for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is often treatable.

Treatment usually needs to start quickly.

The treatment will depend on:

• the type of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia you have
• your age
• your general health

It will usually include steroids and chemotherapy. It may also include targeted medicines, immunotherapy or a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

Treatments to prevent and manage symptoms (called supportive treatments) will also be offered.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan
• help manage any side effects

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you're worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Steroids

Steroid medicine aims to get rid of the leukaemia cells.

You usually take them for up to a week before you start chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

It's the main treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

You usually have a combination of chemotherapy medicines.

Targeted medicines and immunotherapy

Targeted medicines aim to stop cancer growing.

Immunotherapy is where medicines are used to help the immune system kill cancer.

You may have targeted medicines or immunotherapy if:

• you have certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
• the cancer has come back
• other treatment is not working

Stem cell or bone marrow transplant

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant replaces damaged blood cells with healthy ones.

You may have a stem cell or bone marrow transplant if the cancer has come back or it's likely to come back.

Supportive treatments

You may need to have treatment to prevent or control symptoms caused by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

This may include:

• medicines such as antibiotics to prevent or treat infections
• blood transfusions
• medicines called growth factors to help the bone marrow make blood cells
• vaccines to help protect you from illnesses such as flu and COVID-19

What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured

Sometimes acute lymphoblastic leukaemia might be very hard to treat, and it may not be possible to cure the cancer.

If this is the case, the aim of treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.

Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You will be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.

They will work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.