Surgery for acute lymphocytic leukemia

Surgery plays a very small part in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Because leukemia cells spread widely throughout the bone marrow and to many other organs, it is not possible to cure this type of cancer by surgery.

Surgery may be used to help give treatment. For example, a plastic tube can be placed into a large vein. The tube, called a venous access device, allows drugs to be given and blood samples removed. This lowers the number of needle sticks needed during treatment. The patient must learn how to take care of the venous access device to prevent it from getting infected.