Your Care Instructions
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is cancer of the blood cells. It is the most common cancer in children. This type of leukemia is often very treatable and has a good chance of being cured.
In ALL, the body starts making abnormal white blood cells that can crowd out the healthy blood cells. This makes a child more likely to bleed, get infections, and not have enough red blood cells (anemia).
This type of leukemia is treated with medicines, such as chemotherapy. In some cases, radiation or a stem cell transplant also may be needed. Your child may have side effects from treatment, such as nausea and tiredness. Once your child comes home, there are several things you can do to help your child feel better and to prevent infections.
When you find out that your child has cancer, you may feel many emotions and may need some help coping. Seek out family, friends, and counsellors for support. Call the Canadian Cancer Society (1-888-939-3333) or visit its website at www.cancer.ca for more information.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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