Childhood leukaemia

Leukaemia is the most common form of cancer in children. It is a blood cancer that affects the white blood cells, a vital part of our immune system that fights infection.

Around 450 children are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK every year. Leukaemia tends to develop in children between the ages of two and four. But children of any age can develop this blood cancer.

Most children with leukaemia are diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is much less common.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Leukaemia is the most common form cancer in children. Most children with leukaemia develop a type called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Childhood acute myeloid leukaemia

Leukaemia is the most common form cancer in children. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the least common form of leukaemia in children.