B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) treatment and side effects
Most people with B-ALL will need an intensive treatment plan lasting around two to three years to give them the best chance of a cure.
Find out how doctors will make decisions around your treatment and the different treatment options used to treat B-ALL.
Treatment planning for B-ALL
Treatment for B-ALL needs to be carefully tailored for each person. Learn how B-ALL treatment is planned.
Treatment for B-ALL
Read about the remission induction, consolidation and maintenance phases of treatment for B-ALL, and what treatments you may be given.
Side effects of B-ALL treatment
Treatment for B-ALL can cause different side effects in different people. Your hospital team will help you manage any side effects you experience.
Treatment for relapsed or refractory B-ALL
For a few people, the B-ALL comes back after treatment but if this happens, there are more treatments options to try.
Life in remission from B-ALL
You will have regular follow-up appointments after your treatment has finished. When you're ready, you can start getting back to your normal daily activities.
How to support a loved one
Read advice and stories from people who have helped a friend or family member get through blood cancer treatment.
This information has been accredited with the PIF TICK, the UK's only quality mark for trusted health information.
Last full review June 2026. Next full review due June 2029. We may make factual updates between reviews.
Thank you to Consultant Haematologists Professor Adele Fielding and Dr Clare Rowntree for checking the clinical accuracy of our adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) information.
Thank you also to Karis, Ricky, Binu, Harry, Keri and Jesús for sharing their experiences and for helping with the creation of this information.