Radiation Therapy for Leukemia in Children

During radiation therapy, beams of energy are used to destroy leukemia cells. At Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, our doctors rarely recommend radiation therapy for children with leukemia. When they do, it’s usually because leukemia has returned in the central nervous system after remission, compressing the child’s spinal cord or causing a loss of vision or other neurological issues.

Our doctors use the least amount of radiation possible and target a specific area in order to minimize the effect on nearby tissues or organs. Side effects associated with this treatment include fatigue and burned or peeling skin in the area where the radiation is delivered. Your child’s doctors can help you to manage these effects, if they occur.