How is leukemia treated?
-
There are a wide variety of treatment options for leukemia based on the specific type of the disease and other factors. Age is a primary factor in determining treatment. Other factors include whether the leukemia has spread to the brain or spinal fluid, and specific characteristics of the cells. The most common form of treatment is chemotherapy, which is aimed at destroying as many leukemia cells as possible. Medications, radiation, and stem cell transplants are used to supplement chemotherapy.
There are a wide variety of treatment options for leukemia based on the specific type of the disease and other factors. Age is a primary factor in determining treatment. Other factors include whether the leukemia has spread to the brain or spinal... More -
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. These drugs can be given intravenously (IV, through a vein), orally (by mouth), subcutaneously (SubQ, or injected under the skin), intramuscularly (injected into muscle), or intrathecally (injected into cerebrospinal fluid).
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is used along with chemotherapy for some kinds of leukemia. Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing.
Interferon therapy: Interferons are a class of proteins that are released by virus-infected cells. They help normal cells to make antiviral proteins. Interferons also help the body to reduce leukemia cell growth and reproduction, while strengthening the body's immune response. Interferon-alpha (INFa) is a type of interferon that frequently is used to treat leukemia.
Stem cell transplantation: Stem cell transplantation, or bone marrow transplant, is a treatment that allows use of very high doses of chemotherapy along with total body irradiation in order to kill the leukemic cells. At the completion of high-dose therapy, the individual's immune system is essentially depleted, and they are at high risk of developing serious life-threatening infections. These individuals are treated in specially designed, sterile, air-filtered marrow transplant rooms. Stem cell transplantation is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia.
Surgery: A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen. The spleen is located in the abdomen, on the left side. The spleen acts as a filtering system for blood cells. When an individual has chronic leukemia, the spleen tends to collect leukemia cells, transfused platelets (given during surgery), and red blood cells. Frequently, the spleen enlarges from storing these cells. This makes it difficult for the chemotherapy to reduce the quantity of diseased cells. If the spleen is not removed, it sometimes grows so large that it causes breathing difficulty and compresses other organs. In that case, a splenectomy may be needed. Splenectomy is used along with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. These drugs can be given intravenously (IV, through a vein), orally (by mouth), subcutaneously (SubQ, or injected under the skin), intramuscularly (injected into muscle), or... More
