Children With Leukemia May Not Need Radiation

2009-06-26 01:17:59 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Health & Fitness, News)

Research suggests that children with leukemia may not require radiation therapy.

The treatment may not be necessary for children with recent diagnoses of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Wired PR News – Radiation therapy may not be needed for some children with leukemia. As reported by HealthDay News, a new study suggests that chemotherapy administered alone may lead to longer periods of remission and fewer negative side effects for some children with the disease.

Dr. Ching-Hon Pui, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital oncology chairman and author of the study, is quoted in the report as stating of the findings, “Effective chemotherapy can cure up to 90 percent of all children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia without the use of cranial irradiation… Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia can now enjoy excellent quality of life, virtually similar to that of the general population.”

More about the study may be found in the June 25th New England Journal of Medicine issue.

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