Statistics of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Executive Summary

Childhood acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer, affecting almost 74% of people under the age group of 20. Most cases occur between ages 2 and 5 and are less common in girls than boys. The 5-year survival rate for a child aged 0 to 14 is 91% and 75% for people ages 15 to 19. Children diagnosed with acute leukemia who remain free from the disease after five years are generally considered ‘cured’ because it is very rare for acute leukemia to recur after that time.

Statistics of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer. Around 74% of people under age 20 diagnosed with leukemia are ALL. Most cases occur between ages 2 and 5 ^​1​. It is very much less common in girls than boys. Hispanic and white children are slightly more likely to develop ALL than Asian and Black children.

The 5-year survival rate reveals what percent of people live at least five years after the cancer is found. 5-year survival rate for a child aged 0 to 14 is 91% ^​2​. The 5-year survival rate is 75% for people ages 15 to 19. For children diagnosed with acute leukemia, those who remain free from the disease after five years are generally considered ‘cured’ because it is very rare for acute leukemia to recur after that amount of time. 

It should be noted that statistics on the survival rates for ALL are estimates, not accurate numbers.

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