Characterizing difficulty and life disruption during B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy from the perspective of parents: A survey study

This research explores parental perspectives on the challenges of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) treatment in children. The study surveyed parents within a pediatric cancer support group to identify the most disruptive side effects, difficult medications, and challenging aspects of care. Findings indicated that nausea/vomiting and decreased energy were significant during initial treatment phases, while mood changes were more prominent during maintenance therapy. Oral corticosteroids were widely considered the most difficult chemotherapy agent, and unplanned hospital visits and compromised immunity were the most disruptive care components. Ultimately, the study highlights the substantial difficulties faced by families due to leukemia treatment, offering insights for improving future treatment strategies and supportive care.