Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): Our experts are here for your child

Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer and affects the white blood cells. These cells fight infection and help protect the body against disease. ALL affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes, causing them to build up in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.

Symptoms of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia can include:

• Frequent infections

• Fever

• Easy bruising

• Bleeding that is hard to stop

• Flat, dark-red skin spots (petechiae) due to bleeding under the skin

• Pain in the bones or joints

• Lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach or groin

• Pain or fullness below the ribs

• Weakness, fatigue

• Paleness

• Loss of appetite

• Shortness of breath

To diagnose ALL, your child’s doctor will ask questions about their medical history and do a physical examination. They may also request additional tests which can include:

• Blood tests

• X-rays

• Bone marrow biopsy

• Lumbar puncture 

• Cytogenetic analysis

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children is treated using chemotherapy. If the leukemia is fast growing or has come back, your child’s doctor may recommend immunotherapy or a bone marrow transplant.

Understanding cancer in children

The UW Health Kids | Carbone Cancer Center team offers the most advanced treatment options. Our pediatric cancer and blood disorder experts are national research leaders. We test new therapies and continue to work on therapies for pediatric cancer and blood disorders. For many children with rare or hard-to-treat conditions, clinical trials provide new options.

Search our clinical trials for children

CAR T-Cell therapy

UW Carbone Cancer Center researchers played a leading role in the development of this form of immunotherapy which uses your child’s own immune cells to fight and kill their cancer.

Learn more about CAR T-Cell therapy

Your child’s team will include:

• Oncologists (cancer doctors)

• Hematologists (blood disease doctors)

• Nurse practitioners

• Child life specialists

• Pain management specialists

• Physical, occupational and speech therapists

• Radiologists and radiation technologists

• Social workers

• Surgeons

Our pediatric oncologists are part of the UW Carbone Cancer Center which is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. This designation means that the doctors taking care of your child are experts in cancer treatment, research and education. 

When your child needs hospitalization, they will be admitted to American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, Wis.

Child life specialists help your child and family cope with any fears and anxieties. The American Family Children's Hospital patient and family visitor guide features information about:

• Hero beads

• Hospital school

• Positive Image Center

• Restoring Hope Transplant House (for blood and bone marrow transplant recipients)

• Spiritual care services

• Tyler's Place (sibling child care)