How is Leukemia treated?
Consult a doctor for suitable treatment options.
What type of treatment given depends on many factors, including the form of leukemia, how far along it has progressed, and the age and overall health of the patient. For instance, acute leukemia, requires quick treatment to stop the rapid reproduction of leukemia cells. Leukemia treatments are often referred to by doctors as “remission” over “cure” because there is a chance the cancer could come back. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants, biological therapy, and clinical trials.
Chemotherapy: uses strong anti-cancer drugs to kill leukemia cells and is the most common treatment for most types of leukemia.
Surgery: is used to remove enlarged spleen or cancerous areas
Radiation therapy: uses high-dose X-rays to treat cancer cells that may stay after surgery, especially if all of the cancerous cells can't be removed. Radiation therapy may be used by itself or in combination with other treatment options. Side effects of radiation therapy like nausea and irritation of the skin are common but usually get better when treatments stop.
Bone Marrow Transplants: can rebuild a patient's supply of normal blood cells and boost their immune system. Such transplants require bone marrow from a donor who has the same type. Before the transplant, radiation or chemotherapy is used to destroy the cells in the patient's bone marrow to make room for the healthy donated cells.
Biological Therapy: utilizes special medicines that improve the body's natural defenses against cancer.
Clinical Trials: are research projects to test new medicines and other possible treatments.
Chemotherapy: uses strong anti-cancer drugs to kill leukemia cells and is the most common treatment for most types of leukemia.
Surgery: is used to remove enlarged spleen or cancerous areas
Radiation therapy: uses high-dose X-rays to treat cancer cells that may stay after surgery, especially if all of the cancerous cells can't be removed. Radiation therapy may be used by itself or in combination with other treatment options. Side effects of radiation therapy like nausea and irritation of the skin are common but usually get better when treatments stop.
Bone Marrow Transplants: can rebuild a patient's supply of normal blood cells and boost their immune system. Such transplants require bone marrow from a donor who has the same type. Before the transplant, radiation or chemotherapy is used to destroy the cells in the patient's bone marrow to make room for the healthy donated cells.
Biological Therapy: utilizes special medicines that improve the body's natural defenses against cancer.
Clinical Trials: are research projects to test new medicines and other possible treatments.
