Hematologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists are the specialists who treat leukemia. Pediatric oncologists and hematologists treat childhood leukemia. The treatment depends not only on the type but also on leukemia cells, the extent of the disease, patient's age, symptoms and general health and whether the leukemia has been treated before.

Acute leukemia needs to be treated right away and can be cured. Chronic leukemia are seldom to be cured.

Chemotherapy
Most patients with leukemia are treated with chemotherapy. It is the treatment using anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Depending on the type of leukemia, patients may receive a single drug or a combination of two or more drugs. Most of the drugs are given by IV injection (injected into a vein) through a thin, flexible tube called catheter. One end of the tube is placed in a large vein, often in the upper chest and the drugs are injected through this. These drugs entering into the bloodstream, affect leukemia cells in most parts of the body but do not reach cells in the central nervous system because they are stopped by the blood-brain barrier. To reach leukemia cells in the central nervous system, intrathecal chemotherapy is given. This is the method of injecting drugs directly into the cerebrospinal fluid through a special type of catheter called Ommaya reservoir. The catheter is placed under the scalp and the doctor injects the anticancer drugs into it. This method avoids the discomfort of injections into the spine. Chemotherapy is given in cycles : a treatment period followed by a recovery period and then another treatment period, and so on. Depending on which drugs are given, and the patient's general health, a hospital stay may be necessary.

Some people with chronic myeloid leukemia receive a new type of treatment called targeted therapy. This treatment use drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells. It also blocks the production of leukemia cells. A monoclonal antibody is a type of targeted therapy

Side Effects : Side effects of chemotherapy depends mainly on the drugs and doses received, as well as how the drugs are given and it vary from patient to patient. When chemotherapy affects healthy cells, it can lower patients' resistance to infection, and patients may have less energy and bruise or bleed easily. Common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, poor appetite and mouth sores. Most side effects disappear gradually during the recover periods between treatments or after treatment stops. Some drugs can affect the patient's fertility. Because targeted therapy affects only leukemia cells, it causes fewer side effects than most other anticancer drugs.

Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy alias radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. The radiation comes from a large machine. Radiation therapy for leukemia can be given in two ways. For some patients, the doctor may direct the radiation to one specific area of the body where there is a collection of leukemia cells, such as the spleen, brain or testicles. Some may receive radiation that is directed to the whole body. This type of radiation therapy, called total-body irradiation, usually is given before a bone marrow transplant.

Side Effects : Radiation can cause the scalp or the skin in the treated area to become red, dry, tender, and itchy. It can cause tiredness, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Other side effects depend on the area of the body that is treated. Most side effects will be disappear after treatment but some may be last. Children (especially young ones) who receive radiation to the brain may develop problems with learning and coordination.

Stem Cell Transplantation
It is the method of replacing immature blood-forming cells that were destroyed by cancer treatment. A stem cell transplant allows a patient to be treated with high doses of drugs, radiation, or both. The high doses destroy both leukemia cells and normal blood cells in the bone marrow. Later, the patient receives healthy stem cells through a flexible tube that is placed in a large vein in the neck or chest area. New blood cells develop from the transplanted stem cells.

Bone marrow transplantation, peripheral stem cell transplantation and umbilical cord blood transplantation are the three types of transplantation. Bone marrow transplantation is the procedure of replacing bone marrow and peripheral stem cell transplantation is the method of replacing blood-forming cells. In umbilical cord blood transplantation, umbilical cord blood from a newborn baby which contain high concentrations of stem cells needed to produce new blood cells, is injected to restore an individual's own blood production system suppressed by anticancer drugs, radiation therapy or both.

Transplantation may be autologous, allogeneic or syngeneic.

Autologous stem cell transplantation - Patients own stem cells are used in this transplantation. The stem cells are removed and treated outside the body to kill any leukemia cells. It is then frozen and stored. These stored cells are returned to the patient, after receiving high dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation - In this transplantation the healthy stem cells come from a donor. Blood test is done to make sure that the donor's cells match the patient's cells.
Syngeneic stem cell transplantation - This type of transplant uses stem cells from the patient's healthy identical twin.

Patients who have a stem cell transplant usually stay in the hospital for several weeks. Until the transplanted stem cells begins to produce enough white blood cells, patients have to be carefully protected from infection.

Side Effects : SPatients who have a stem cell transplantation face an increased risk of infection, bleeding, and other side effects of the large doses of chemotherapy and radiation they receive. In addition, graft- versus-host disease (GVHD) may occur in patients who receive bone marrow from a donor. In GVHD, the donated marrow reacts against the patient's tissues (most often the liver, the skin, and the digestive tract). GVHD can be mild or very severe. It can occur any time after the transplant (even years later). Drugs may be given to reduce the risk of GVHD and to treat the problem if it occurs.

Biological Therapy
Biological therapy involves treatment with substances that affect the immune system's response to cancer. This type of treatment improves the body's natural defenses against cancer. The therapy is given by injection into a vein.

Biological therapies like interferon and monoclonal antibody are used in chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia respectively. These naturally occurring compounds are directly inserted through a catheter to slow the growth of leukemia cells.

Side Effects : The side effects of biological therapy differ with the types of substances used and from patient to patient. Rashes or swelling where the biological therapy is injected are common. Flu-like symptoms also may occur.

The goal of treatment is to bring about a remission. Remission means a decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer may still be in the body.

After Treatment

Leukemia and its treatment can lead to other health problems. Because leukemia patients develop infections very easily, they may receive antibiotics and other drugs to help protect them from infections. They are often advised to stay out of crowds and away from people with colds and other infectious diseases. If an infection develops, it can be serious and should be treated promptly. Dental care also is very important.

Regular follow-up exams are very important after treatment for leukemia. Patients should continue to have regular checkups and should also report health changes or problems to their physician. Checkups usually include careful physical exam, blood tests, x-rays, bone marrow aspiration, or spinal tap.

Avoiding risk factors such as smoking, exposure to toxic chemicals, and exposure to radiation may help prevent leukemia.

Note : All statements given are only for information purpose. We are not responsible or liable for any problems related to the utilization of information on this site. We suggest that you consult a qualified doctor before trying any alternative health care remedies.