While it is similar in many ways to the other subtypes, APL is distinctive and has a very specific treatment regime. Treatment outcomes for APL are very good, and it is considered the most curable type of leukemia. Cure rates are as high as 90%.

Drugs Approved for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

• Purinethol (Mercaptopurine)
• Purixan (Mercaptopurine)
• Rubidomycin (Daunorubicin Hydrochloride)
• Sprycel (Dasatinib)
• Tisagenlecleucel.
• Trexall (Methotrexate Sodium)
• Vincristine Sulfate.
• Vincristine Sulfate Liposome.

There are now four other drugs (bosutinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, and ponatinib) that can be used in CML if the leukemia becomes resistant to Gleevec. Nilotinib (Tasigna) has FDA approval for CML in the chronic phase. Dasatinib (Sprycel) is FDA approved for first line therapy of chronic phase CML.

Imatinib (Gleevec). Imatinib was the first targeted therapy approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CML in 2001. It is taken as a pill once or twice a day. It works better than chemotherapy to treat CML and causes fewer side effects (see below).

Today, the average five-year survival rate for all types of leukemia is 65.8%. That means about 69 of every 100 people with leukemia are likely to live at least five years after diagnosis. Many people will live much longer than five years. The survival rates are lowest for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Most childhood leukemias have very high remission rates, with some up to 90%. Remission means that doctors see no cancer cells in the body. Most kids are cured of the disease. This means that they’re in permanent remission.

A toddler with leukemia will behave differently from a school-aged child. Crying, anger, fussiness, acting out, or tantrums can all be normal behaviours for younger children at certain times. School-aged children may feel more guilty or nervous about what is happening.

Age – Generally speaking, individuals over the age of 65 are more at risk for leukemia. Demographics – While anyone can conceivably develop leukemia, white males are statistically most susceptible.

Key Statistics for Childhood Leukemia

• ALL is most common in early childhood, peaking between 2 and 5 years of age.
• AML tends to be more spread out across the childhood years, but it’s slightly more common during the first 2 years of life and during the teenage years.

Abnormal cells can build up near or inside bones, which can cause unexplained bone or joint pain. This pain can range from a dull ache to severe pain and discomfort. Leukemia can destroy the white blood cells that help fight off infections.

Long term survival of leukemia varies greatly, depending upon multiple factors, including type of leukemia and age of the patient. ALL: In general, the disease goes into remission in nearly all children who have it. More than four out of five children live at least five years. The prognosis for adults is not as good.

Stages of Chronic Leukemia Stage 1 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and enlarged lymph nodes. Stage 2 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and is anemic. He or she may also have enlarged lymph nodes. Stage 3 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and is anemic.

Leukemia stages. Most cancers are staged based on the size and spread of tumors. However, because leukemia already occurs in the developing blood cells in the bone marrow, leukemia staging is a little bit different.