Home > Medical > Cancer > Leukaemia Updated 30 March 2017 Common childhood leukaemia now curable Acute lymphocytic leukaemia – the most common childhood cancer – can now be cured, says the Alberts Cellular Therapy unit at the Netcare Pretoria East hospital. 0 iStock Acute lymphocytic leukaemia – the most common childhood cancer – can now be cured, says the Alberts Cellular Therapy unit at the Netcare Pretoria East hospital. "Each leukaemia case is unique but with the necessary technology and care, patients can actually be cured," unit head Dr Jackie Thomson, also a clinical haematologist at the hospital, said in a statement on Wednesday.She said new drugs and treatments were available to fight the disease. It could be successfully treated at centres able to provide the appropriate and highly specialised treatment.The survival rate had increased from three percent to about 90% in the past 40 years."Bone-marrow transplantation, which helps remove cancer cells from a patient's system, is usually used as part of the treatment protocol."Although the transplant was believed to be risky, centres specialising in the treatment of leukaemia and other blood disorders achieved good outcomes, said Thomson.Another method used was hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.The method was used to treat a range of blood disorders, lymph cancers and metabolic disorders, sickle-cell disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, Ewing's sarcoma, Hodgkin's disease, and others.Gene testing enabled doctors to target their treatment and determine the most appropriate procedures, she said. Related articles Genetic link to childhood leukaemia identified For the first time, a genetic link specific to the risk of childhood leukaemia has been identified, according to a team of researchers. Gene discovery may offer leukaemia breakthrough In the war against cancer, it looks like matchmaking - between genes and drugs - could be an important tool, according to new research. Leukaemia can now be successfully treated Medicine has advanced to such an extent in recent years that leukaemia can now usually be successfully treated and is no longer such a ‘dread disease’. What to Read Next {{item.title}} Read Health24’s Comments Policy Comment on this story 0 comments Comments have been closed for this article. Logout Comment 0 characters remaining Share on Facebook Loading comments... Ask the Expert Cancer expert CANSA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa. Its mission is to be the preferred non-profit organisation that enables research, educates the public and provides support to all people affected by cancer. Questions are answered by CANSA’s Head of Health Professor Michael Herbst. For more information, visit cansa.org.za. Ask a question Questions posted to Cancer expert questions answered by the expert Q: Bulky ovaries posted on 14/11/2018 Q: Use of Dositnex posted on 14/11/2018 Q: Angiosarcoma in South Africa posted on 12/11/2018 Q: Lump in breast posted on 01/11/2018 Q: Lump posted on 01/11/2018 Q: Possible brain cancer posted on 31/10/2018 Q: An immature gran, left shift of 0.10 x 10E9/L posted on 30/10/2018 Q: Enlarged lymph node in jaw posted on 26/10/2018 Q: Cervical cancer posted on 17/10/2018 Q: Thyroid cancer and IPTLD posted on 16/10/2018 Q: Wat is bloedingsneiding? posted on 12/10/2018 Q: Painful stomach pain posted on 12/10/2018 Q: Ovarium kanker - chemoterapie - vel uitslag posted on 09/10/2018 Q: Mycosis fungoides posted on 30/09/2018 Q: Cannabis capsule posted on 28/09/2018 load more × Still have a question? Get free advice from our panel of experts Your question More detail Your name (optional) The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical exmanication, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content. I agree * You must accept our condition To prevent spam please solve this simple math problem: Forum Rules
0 iStock Acute lymphocytic leukaemia – the most common childhood cancer – can now be cured, says the Alberts Cellular Therapy unit at the Netcare Pretoria East hospital. "Each leukaemia case is unique but with the necessary technology and care, patients can actually be cured," unit head Dr Jackie Thomson, also a clinical haematologist at the hospital, said in a statement on Wednesday.She said new drugs and treatments were available to fight the disease. It could be successfully treated at centres able to provide the appropriate and highly specialised treatment.The survival rate had increased from three percent to about 90% in the past 40 years."Bone-marrow transplantation, which helps remove cancer cells from a patient's system, is usually used as part of the treatment protocol."Although the transplant was believed to be risky, centres specialising in the treatment of leukaemia and other blood disorders achieved good outcomes, said Thomson.Another method used was hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.The method was used to treat a range of blood disorders, lymph cancers and metabolic disorders, sickle-cell disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, Ewing's sarcoma, Hodgkin's disease, and others.Gene testing enabled doctors to target their treatment and determine the most appropriate procedures, she said.