Leukemia refers to four types of cancers of the blood cells and bone marrow. It results in the abnormal growth and development of blood-forming cells such as red and white blood cells. Leukemia is classified as either lymphocytic or myelogenous with each of these being either acute or chronic. Approximately 45,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Several treatment options exist can help to destroy and replace the diseased cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy remains the most common form of treatment for all types of leukemia. This type of therapy uses chemicals designed to kill leukemia cancer cells. Many types of chemotherapy medications exist, but all generally work by destroying rapidly dividing leukemia cells. Unfortunately these drugs also target healthy rapidly dividing cells in the body leading to hair loss, gastrointestinal cell destruction and sores in the mouth. Chemotherapy drugs can be injected or taken orally, administered alone or in combination for the most effective therapy.
Radiation Therapy
Physicians commonly use radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high energy beams or x-rays directed at leukemia cells causing DNA damage and cell death. The beams are directed at a specific area or over the entire body. The radiation does not feel painful and generally lasts only a few minutes per session. Similar to chemotherapy, radiation therapy also harms healthy cells leading to side effects such as hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, skin irritation and sores in the mouth.
Stem Cell Transplant
The purpose of stem cell transplants includes replacing the diseased blood-forming cells of the bone marrow with new, healthy cells. The transplanted stem cells become responsible for generating new red and white blood cells for the body. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy destroys bone marrow, so the ability to replace it allows for high dose chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which is often needed to treat leukemia. Physicians harvest stem cells either from the individual or from a matched donor and when needed, administered via a blood transfusion after a round of chemotherapy or radiation. However, stem cell transplants prove costly and require long hospital stays. Some insurance companies still view the procedure as experimental and do not cover the costs.
Interferon Therapy
Interferons are proteins in the body that become released by cells of the immune system in response to invading pathogens. They function to facilitate the communication between immune cells to trigger and enhance the protective defense system. When used therapeutically in leukemia treatment, they help in fighting off leukemia cell proliferation and strengthen the immune response against leukemia. Interferon alpha (INFa) remains the most common interferon therapy that is injected in gradual dosage increases for best results. Physicians generally use interferon therapy in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. According to MayoClinic.com, physicians give interferon therapy to newly diagnosed individuals who do not prove eligible for stem cell transplantation.
Surgery
Though not a direct treatment option for leukemia, surgery can treat the a secondary effect of the disease. First, leukemia is a cancer of blood-cells and can become a widespread disease and thus not able to be cut out like other cancers. Secondly, physicians don't require surgery to make a diagnosis, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, the spleen functions in filtering blood and can become enlarged in patients with leukemia, which can cause damage to other nearby organs. When enlarged, surgeons perform a splenectomy to remove the spleen to prevent further damage.
