Leukaemia in children

The two major varieties of leukaemia in childhood are acute lymphocytic and acute myeloblastic leukaemia. Subclassification of acute lymphocytic leukaemia has defined groups with a good or poor prognosis and different treatment strategies are employed. Overall, about one-third of cases may be cured and results in good prognosis disease are even better. The different varieties of acute myeloid leukaemia all respond less well to treatment, with the major problem being one of maintenance of disease remission. Current treatment of both forms of leukaemia are outlined. Although advances in the management of childhood leukaemia, in particular the lymphocytic variety, have been truly remarkable over the past thirty years, further progress is necessary. Greater refinement of chemotherapy or the use of bone marrow transplantation are the likely avenues for future improvement in prognosis.