Childhood AML Treatment: An Introduction
Different types of treatment are available for patients with
childhood acute myeloid leukemia (
AML). Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some treatments are being tested in clinical trials. Acute myeloid
leukemia is also known as acute myelogenous leukemia.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Stem cell transplantation
- Other drug therapies.
There are also two phases of childhood AML treatment: induction therapy and consolidation/intensification therapy. Choosing the most appropriate childhood AML treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, the family, and the healthcare team.
Healthcare Providers for Childhood AML Treatment
Childhood AML treatment is complex. Therefore, children with AML should have their treatment planned by a team of doctors with expertise in treating
childhood leukemia. A pediatric oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating children with cancer) will manage your child's treatment. The pediatric oncologist may refer you to other pediatric doctors who also have experience in treating children with leukemia and who specialize in certain areas of medicine. These specialists may include:
- Hematologist
- Medical oncologist
- Pediatric surgeon
- Radiation oncologist
- Endocrinologist
- Neurologist
- Neuropathologist
- Neuroradiologist
- Pediatric nurse specialist
- Social worker
- Rehabilitation specialist
- Psychologist.
Regular followup exams are important, because side effects can result from childhood AML treatment long after treatment ends. Radiation therapy to the head may affect the child's developing brain and may cause second cancers, especially brain tumors. Early diagnosis and treatment of these secondary brain tumors may help lower the risk they present.
