How to Treat Leukemia
The goal of treatment is remission, that is, a return to a somewhat more normal white blood cell (WBC) count. These are the most common therapies.
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Instructions
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Be treated with an aggressive course of chemotherapy. Therapy (including maintenance) usually continues for two to five years.
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Ask about radiation therapy. This requires receiving doses of X-ray for several weeks to several months. Radiation therapy is generally used in addition to chemotherapy.
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Receive a bone marrow transplant. This procedure requires that all the leukemia bone marrow be killed and replaced with healthy marrow. This is a complex treatment and should be done only by doctors who have extensive bone marrow transplant experience and only at state-of-the-art cancer centers. Bone marrow transplants have been shown to improve long-term survival rates of some leukemia patients.
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Prolong survival with active immunotherapy. This procedure is in its infancy. Contact the Leukemia Society of America for further information.
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Receive a blood and/or platelet transfusion for the anemia and/or other blood disorders caused by leukemia.
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Take antibiotics to counteract infections resulting from the overproduction of abnormal WBCs.
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Tips & Warnings
Remission is a temporary, though possibly permanent, arrest of leukemia. Remission can be partial or complete. After treatment, your doctor will examine your blood frequently to see whether you are in remission.
To learn more about the treatment of leukemia, call the Leukemia Society of America at (800) 955-4LSA.
To learn more about becoming a bone marrow donor, call (800) MARROW-2.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
