Leukaemias: a review

Leukaemia is the principal cancer of childhood. In the last few decades, cure rates in childhood leukaemia have improved due to better risk stratification of patients by phenotype/genotype and treatment-related response, incorporation of more effective chemotherapy protocols and better supportive care. Current research in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) aims to reduce treatment related toxicity by studying innovative ways to deliver therapy without compromising treatment efficacy and thereby improving outcomes for children. This review discusses how acute leukaemia occurs and presents and describes current treatment strategies in ALL and AML.