Approximately 245,000 people in the United States are living with or in remission from leukemia, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow creates blood cells and platelets that help the body perform functions such as blood clotting and fighting off infection. In leukemia, blood cells never mature and die off to make room for new blood cells. Over time, this causes an overabundance of useless blood cells. Chemotherapy for leukemia varies widely dependent upon staging and type but most often includes a drug regimen of the following medications.
Cytarabine
Cytarabine is a type of chemotherapy agent, known as an antimetabolite, used to fight leukemia and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cytarabine works by preventing the cells from creating the necessary DNA and RNA required for cell growth. Physicians or nurses administer cytarabine into the vein, inject it under the skin or inject the drug directly into the space surrounding the spinal cord. Patients who take cytarabine may experience nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Fever, skin rashes, body aches and fatigue often occur within twelve hours of taking the medication. The drug may cause a low white cell and platelet count, which may leave patients more prone to infections and bleeding. Cytarabine causes the rapid death of tumor cells over a twenty-four hour period, which in some cases may lead serious kidney damage known as Tumor Lysis syndrome, says the American Cancer Society.
Daunorubicin
Daunorubicin belongs to a second class of chemotherapy agents known as anthracycline antibiotics. Daunorubicin works by stopping the cancer cells from growing, which causes the cells to die. Physicians use the drug for both chronic leukemias and other cancers. Patients receive daunorubicin straight into the vein. The medication is highly caustic. If the drug leaks into the tissue surrounding the vein it may cause tissue damage, pain and scarring. The American Cancer Society says that daunorubicin causes urine to turn reddish for one to two days following the dose as the body disposes of the drug. Like cytarabine, daunarubicin can cause lowered blood cells and platelets. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. Patients may experience hair loss while using daunorubicin for chemotherapy. If they choose, patients may work with physicians and insurance to help cover the cost of wigs prior to treatments.
Thioguanine
Thioguanine, also known as 6-Thioguanine and 6-TH, is another antimetabolite drug used to treat acute leukemia and other types of cancers. Like daunorubicin, the drug stops cancer cells from growing which causes the cells to die. Patients take thioguanine orally once a day on an empty stomach. Nausea and vomiting are common while taking thioguanine. Thioguanine may cause electrolyte imbalances and severe kidney damage. The American Cancer Society warns that in rare cases, severe liver damage has occurred. Patients noticing severe nausea and vomiting, fatigue, pain under the right ribs, dark urine and yellow skin or eyes should call physicians immediately.
