Condition

Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

What You Need to Know

Leukemia is cancer caused by abnormal white blood cells.

Key Symptoms

The most common symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia are:

Unexplained fever and headaches
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, arm pits or groin
Easy bruising and bleeding

Diagnosis

Doctors typically diagnose acute lymphoblastic leukemia by:

Performing a complete medical evaluation
Blood tests
Needle aspiration
Biopsy

Treatment

Treatments may include:

Chemotherapy
Stem cell transplantation

Appointments

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is aymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?

Leukemia is cancer caused by abnormal white blood cells. These cells are produced in bone marrow and normally help the body fight infection.

The most common type of leukemia in children is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this disease, the body produces too many lymphoblasts (a type of white blood cell) and they become cancerous. It is separated into two groups based on the type of lymphocyte the leukemia started in. That would be B cells or T cells. About 8 out of 10 cases of ALL in children are B-cell ALLs. These can be further classified into sub-types. The other 2 out of 10 cases are T-cell ALLs.

Learn more about our Leukemia/Lymphoma Program at Children’s National Hospital.

What causes acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children?

What are symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children?

Common signs and symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia can occur in other illnesses. You should see your pediatrician if your child has any of the following:

Unexplained fever and headaches
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, arm pits or groin
Pain in the arms, legs or back
Easy bruising and bleeding
Tiny red spots in the skin
Fatigue and low energy
Shortness of breath
Unexplained weight loss

How is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children diagnosed?

If your pediatrician suspects that your child has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, he or she will perform further tests to confirm a diagnosis:

Complete medical evaluation
Blood tests to evaluate red and white blood cell count and platelet count
Needle aspiration or biopsy to check for any problems with cells or genes in bone marrow
Further examination of these tests to determine the subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia your child may have

What are the treatments for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children?

Meet the Providers Who Treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

View our specialists

Patient Stories

The Gift of Life After Cancer
Kai first came to Children's National Hospital when pain in his legs got so bad he couldn't walk. A bone health specialist and orthopaedic surgeon made sure he got the right diagnosis: Kai had leukemia. After more than two years of care and support, he's now cancer free.

Compassionate Care Helps Wes and his Family
Our 3-year-old son Wes is a typical kid. He loves dinosaurs, racing his toy cars and eating noodles. We weren’t too concerned when our pediatrician suggested blood work after I reported that Wes had swollen lymph nodes. What were the odds it was something serious? Our world turned upside down when she called the next day holding back tears. “His white blood counts are extremely high and it points to leukemia,” she said. “Pack a bag and go straight to Children’s National Hospital.”
Gratitude from a Future Leader
Beating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia made Paige feel like a warrior, like she could do anything. Her journey wasn"t easy, but she made a lot of friends along the way at Children's National Hospital. She's back to living her life now with lots of gratitude and big hopes for the future.
Marco's Story
Marco Gutierrez, a 19-year-old from Potomac, MD., was enjoying dinner with family and friends after a University of Michigan football game when pain started to pulse through his chest and back.
Chris's Story
When Chris's parents noticed he had lingering pain and swollen lymph nodes, they knew it was time to take him to the doctor.
Christopher's Story
Christopher Melkonian was six years old when he came down with a low-grade fever and diffuse bone pain. Unsure of what was happening, his parents Darlene and David took him to Children's National Hospital and soon found out that Christopher had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that affects white blood cells.