During induction therapy, chemotherapy is used to kill as many of the leukemia cells as possible and cause the leukemia to go into remission. Once the leukemia goes into remission and there are no signs of leukemia, consolidation therapy is given. Your child may receive either or both phases of postremission therapy. Radiation therapy to the brain may also be given, in addition to chemotherapy, for this purpose. Unwanted side-effects can result from treatment long after it ends, so it is important that your child continue to be seen by his or her doctor.
Chemotherapy can lead to heart, kidney, and hearing problems after treatment is finished.
Radiation therapy may cause problems with growth and development. Treatment for childhood AML depends on whether or not the patient has been previously treated for leukemia and the type of leukemia. The best treatment is given by cancer doctors with experience in treating children with leukemia, and is given at hospitals where leukemia patients are often treated. Your child may receive treatment that is considered standard based on its effectiveness in a number of patients in past studies, or you may choose to have your child take part in a clinical trial. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy, and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired.