Stratification and Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Over the last four decades the overall survival for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has improved dramatically from around 50% in the 1980s to around 90% at the current time. However, the outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYA) remain inferior likely due to multifactorial factors affecting this age group including more intrinsically resistant disease, an increased tendency to toxicity with treatment, poorer access to clinical trials and age-specific psychosocial considerations. In this chapter we summarise progress made in the treatment of ALL in young people, the current challenges to improving outcomes and efforts made to support young people affected by ALL.