Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Counseling

Oncology social workers help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Contact us at 800‑813‑HOPE (4673) or info@cancercare.org.
Learn more about counseling.

Resource Navigation

Learn more about how CancerCare Resource Navigation can help you address barriers to care.

Financial Assistance

Find resources and support to manage your financial concerns. Limited assistance from CancerCare^® is available to eligible families for cancer-related costs.

Support Groups

Connect with others in our free support groups led by oncology social workers.

Online

• Blood Cancers Caregiver Support Group
• Blood Cancers Patient Support Group

Community Programs

Learn about and view the full calendar of our free community programs.

Specialized Programs

CancerCare offers specialized programs to address specific populations and concerns.

Coping Circle Workshops

Virtual educational and supportive workshops led by oncology social workers and qualified co-facilitators. These workshops cover numerous topics and are offered in English and Spanish.

Connect Education Workshops

Listen in by telephone or online as leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information about cancer-related issues in one-hour workshops. Podcasts are also available.

Upcoming Workshops

General Topics

• Challenges Young Adults with Cancer Face: Coping Tips, Jun 9, 2026
• Clinical Trials: How They Transform the Treatment of Cancer, Jun 16, 2026

Podcasts

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

• Updates from the 2025 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Dec 18, 2025
• Updates on CAR T-cell Therapies, Mar 25, 2025

General Topics

• Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Apr 27, 2026
• Coping with Cancer, Apr 15, 2026
• Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Mar 10, 2026
• Veterans and Cancer: Unique Challenges, Mar 6, 2026
• Taking Your Pills on Schedule: Why It Is So Important in Managing Cancer, Jan 27, 2026
• Addressing the LGBTQI+ Health Disparities Gap, Jun 25, 2025
• Children as Caregivers for a Loved One with Cancer, Jun 24, 2025
• Diverse Populations Participating in Decisions About Your Care with Your Health Care Team, Jun 17, 2025
• Current Perspectives on the Future of Cancer Research, Jun 5, 2025
• Understanding How Health Care Disparities May Influence Your Cancer Treatment and Care, Jun 2, 2025
• Cancer & the Workplace: Understanding Your Legal Protections, Apr 30, 2025
• Understanding the Cost of Care & Your Health Care Coverage, Apr 23, 2025
• Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Apr 21, 2025
• Trends in Oncology & Treatment Planning: A Guide to Getting the Best Care, Apr 16, 2025
• Understanding the Different Names for Biomarker Testing and Their Role in Selecting the Best Treatment for You, Mar 10, 2025
• Understanding the Important Role that Biomarker Testing Plays in Informing the Treatment of Cancer, Mar 3, 2025
• Clinical Trials: How They Transform the Treatment of Cancer, Feb 4, 2025
• Understanding Treatment-Related Skin Toxicity: Practical Tips to Cope with Rash, Dry/Itchy/Peeling Skin and Nail Changes, Jan 17, 2025
• Cancer in the Workplace, Health Insurance, Finances and Returning to School, Dec 13, 2024
• Challenges Young Adults with Cancer Face: Coping Tips, Dec 6, 2024
• Chemotherapy: Novel Approaches to Prevent and Manage Gastrointestinal Treatment Side Effects, Nov 22, 2024
• Caregiving for Your Loved One with Cancer, Sep 23, 2024
• Chemotherapy: Novel Approaches to Prevent and Manage Gastrointestinal Treatment Side Effects, Feb 16, 2024
• Young Adult Survivorship: Fertility, Sexuality and Intimacy, Feb 9, 2024
• Joys and Challenges of Pets in Your Home When You Have Cancer, Apr 8, 2019

Publications

Read or order our free Connect booklets and fact sheets offering easy-to-read information about the latest cancer treatments, managing side effects and coping with cancer.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

• Treatment Update: Blood CancersNew
• Bone Marrow Transplantation as a Treatment Option: What You Need to Know

General Topics

• Coping With Cancer: Tools to Help You LiveNew
• Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer
• Talking to Children When a Loved One Has Cancer
• Communicating With Your Health Care Team
• Sources of Financial AssistanceNew
• Finding Resources in Your CommunityNew
• If You've Just Been Diagnosed
• What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?
• Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?

Ask CancerCare

Every month, featured experts answer your questions about coping with cancer. View all questions and answers.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

• Q.

  I'm worried my husband has some ongoing side effects from his treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Do you know if there are specialists who treat side effects from treatments?

  A.

  Blood cancers are called hematopoietic cancers and treated by hematologists (doctors who specialize in blood disorders). Blood cancers consist of three types: leukemia, disease of the blood; lymphoma, disease of the lymphatic system; and multiple myeloma, disease of the bone marrow. There are numerous subtypes of all three blood cancers, especially among lymphomas and leukemias. The diagnosis is very important because it will directly impact the treatment options, and different treatments may result in different side effects.

  ALL is a cancer of the white blood cells, the cells in the body that normally fight infection. Most cases of leukemia are associated with changes in genes and chromosomes in the cancerous white cells, which is the case for ALL.

  Because many standard cancer treatments are very powerful, they also carry a risk of side effects; loss of hair, fatigue and nausea are the most common. Most side effects go away after treatment. However, some treatments can have ongoing and on occasion permanent side effects, which can include neuropathy, “chemobrain” and anemia, among others.

  The professionals who make up his treatment team are the best people to address his side effects. His doctor might adjust treatment when side effects are dangerous or harmful. If side effects continue post-treatment, again his treatment team is the best source for help. Your husband may be prescribed medications to help manage side effects, or referred to a specialist who can monitor and treat side effects. Specialists include physical therapists, neurologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists or other specialized health care professionals.

  Please take a look at our Connect Education Workshop podcasts that address the side effects of treatment. In addition, CancerCare also offers a number of publications that might be helpful in managing side effects.

  Additional resources addressing ALL treatment and side effects include: - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - National Cancer Institute’s Adult ALL Treatment Summary

  Answered by
  Richard Dickens, MS, FAOSW, LCSW-R

  ∞ Direct link to this question

  Tags:

  leukemiaacute lymphoblastic leukemiaside effects

From Our Blog

• Blood Cancers & Watchful Waiting

Featured Resource

Magnolia Meals at Home

A meal delivery program that helps patients by providing nourishing meals to households affected by cancer. Is currently available in and around Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Andover, MA, Raleigh-Durham, NC and New Haven, CT (as well areas in New York, New Hampshire and Boston, MA). For more information please visit magnoliamealsathome.com or contact Kathy Nugent, LCSW at 800-813-4673, ext. 6809.

Stories of Help and Hope

Read inspiring personal accounts from people affected by cancer and the ways they've found to cope.

• Nolan D., Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia