Medication
Leukemia treatment choices depend on the type of leukemia, certain features of the leukemia cells, the extent of the disease, and prior history of treatment, as well as the age and health of the patient. Most people with leukemia are treated with chemotherapy. Some also may have radiation therapy and/or bone marrow transplantation.
Procedures
What is immunotherapy?
- Monoclonal antibody therapy. This therapy helps your body produce antibodies that typically fight infection.
- CAR T-cell therapy. This is a newer type of therapy that uses your body’s own T cells, a type of white blood cell, to help fight leukemia.
- Donor lymphocyte infusion. ...
- Interferon. ...
Therapy
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects your blood cells and bone marrow. As with other types of cancer, there’s currently no cure for leukemia. People with leukemia sometimes experience ...
Nutrition
The total treatment usually takes about 2 years, with the maintenance phase taking up most of this time. Treatment may be more or less intense, depending on the subtype of ALL and other prognostic factors. ALL can spread to the area around the brain and spinal cord.
What would be the most likely treatment for leukemia?
What are the different ways to cure leukemia?
Is there a known treatment and cure for leukemia?
How long have you been on treatments for leukemia?
How close are we to a cure for leukemia?
There's currently no cure for leukemia, but emerging treatments and technologies may help researchers find cures for cancer one day. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are currently being researched to effectively treat leukemia subtypes in earlier stages.
What is the most effective treatment for leukemia?
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the major form of treatment for leukemia. This drug treatment uses chemicals to kill leukemia cells. Depending on the type of leukemia you have, you may receive a single drug or a combination of drugs.
What are current treatment options for leukemia?
Stem Cell Transplant These high doses destroy leukemia and normal blood cells in the bone marrow. After the high dose of treatment, healthy stem cells are given through a vein to replace the ones destroyed by the treatment. Stem cells may come from the person with leukemia or from donated stem cells.
Are treatments for leukemia improving?
Your treatment options will depend on your age, your general health, the type of leukemia you have, and how aggressive your disease is. Some leukemias respond well to treatment, while others are more stubborn.
Which type of leukemia is curable?
While it is similar in many ways to the other subtypes, APL is distinctive and has a very specific treatment regime. Treatment outcomes for APL are very good, and it is considered the most curable type of leukemia.
Can leukemia go away on its own?
Most often, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will go into remission after the initial treatment. But sometimes it doesn't go away completely, or it comes back (relapses) after a period of remission. If this happens, other treatments can be tried, as long as a person is healthy enough for them.
What if chemo doesn't work for leukemia?
If chemotherapy does not work, a possible alternative treatment option is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Before transplantation can take place, the person receiving the transplant will need intensive high-dose chemotherapy, and possibly radiotherapy, to destroy the cells in their bone marrow.
Can leukemia be cured if caught early?
Leukemia is the cancer of the blood-forming tissues that includes bone marrow and lymphatic system. Adults and children are equally affected by Leukemia, which is seen as production of abnormal white blood cells by the bone marrow.
Can leukemia be treated without chemo?
This might be followed by a stem cell transplant. Other drugs (besides standard chemotherapy drugs) may be used to treat people with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Surgery and radiation therapy are not major treatments for AML, but they may be used in special circumstances.
Can you live 20 years with leukemia?
People in stages 0 to II may live for 5 to 20 years without treatment. CLL has a very high incidence rate in people older than 60 years. CLL affects men more than women. If the disease has affected the B cells, the person's life expectancy can range from 10 to 20 years.
Diagnosis
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment
Specialist to consult
Leukemia Treatment For Adults
Leukemia Treatment For Children
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Nci-Supported Research Programs
- A diagnosis of leukemia may be devastating — especially for the family of a newly diagnosed child. With time you'll find ways to cope with the distress and uncertainty of cancer. Until then, you may find it helps to: 1. Learn enough about leukemia to make decisions about your care. Ask your doctor about your leukemia, including your treatment options and, if you like, your prognosis. As …
Leukemia Research Results
- Start by seeing your family doctor if you have signs or symptoms that worry you. If your doctor suspects you have leukemia, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and bone marrow (hematologist). Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of information to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to …