What Happens After Treatment For Childhood Leukemia?
American Cancer Society Follow-up exams are needed for several years after the treatment for leukemia is finished. These follow-up visits are very important. The doctor will continue to watch for signs that the cancer has come back, as well as for short-term and long-term side effects of treatment. Be sure to report any new symptoms to the doctor right away, so that relapse or side effects can be treated. Checkups for children with leukemia involve careful physical exams, lab tests, and sometimes, x-rays. These checkups will usually be monthly during the first year, every other month the second year, every third month during the third year, and every 6 months until 5 years after treatment. After that time, it’s a good idea to have the child see the doctor yearly for a checkup. If the leukemia returns, it usually happens while the child is on treatment or right after treatment ends. It’s unusual for high-risk ALL or AML to come back if there are no signs of the disease within two years
