Treatment

The main treatment for AML is chemotherapy given in phases.

Not every child with AML receives the same treatment. Your child’s doctor will tailor your child’s treatment based on the AML subtype and other factors, such as age, health and how the cancer responds to treatment.

Your child’s treatment may include:

Fertility

Some cancer treatments can affect your child’s fertility (the ability to have children in the future). Before your child begins treatment, it is important to talk with the doctor about whether the treatment could affect your child’s fertility. You may also want to speak with a fertility specialist. A fertility specialist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats problems related to infertility. The fertility specialist can talk to you about possible options for preserving your child’s fertility.

School

During treatment, there will be times when your child may be unable to attend school in person. However, there are resources to help your child continue to receive an education so that he or she will not fall behind. Find more support and resources for your child’s education needs during treatment.

Once your child is in remission, he or she will likely be going back to school. This reentry to the classroom can be daunting for a child of any age. Educate family members, friends, school personnel and healthcare providers about your child's possible long-term and late effects of treatment. Work with your child's teachers and medical providers to develop a program tailored to his or her needs that features baseline testing, special accommodations, and long-term planning.

 Read the PDF, School, for more information.

 See Worksheet 15: Information for School Staff. 

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