Childhood Leukemia Survival Rates Reach 90 Percent MONDAY, March
12 (HealthDay News) -- Children with the most common type of
leukemia now have a dramatically better chance of survival, a
new study shows. The researchers found five-year survival rates
among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) increased
from about 84 percent to 90 percent from 1990 to 2005. Surviving
for five years is considered a cure because so few deaths occur
past that timeframe. "We're talking about a disease that was
incurable 50 years ago," said study author Dr. Stephen Hunger.
"Now we see a 90 percent cure rate. That's pretty remarkable."
The study is published in the March 12 online issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology. Hunger, a professor of pediatrics
at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and director of
the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Hospital
Colorado, said the clinical trials have helped doctors refine
their use and dosage of drugs, resulting in greater survival
rates. For exam