Leukemia refers to a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, or the soft, spongy tissue found in the central cavities of the bones. The bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Leukemia causes the bone marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, and the abnormality interferes with the production of the other blood cells. Treatment for leukemia depends on the type and stage of the disease.
Chemotherapy
According to MayoClinic.com, the most common form of treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses a single drug or a combination of drugs to try to stop the growth of cancer cells, by either killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy drugs typically come in a pill or an injectable form. The form and amount of chemotherapy drugs depend on whether the leukemia has spread to other areas of the body.
Radiation
Radiation treatment uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing, reports the National Cancer Institute. Radiation therapy uses external radiation or internal radiation to treat the cancer cells. External radiation treats leukemia by sending radiation to the cancer cells with the use of a machine outside the body. Internal radiation treats leukemia with the direct placement of a radioactive substance into or near the cancerous area. The Cleveland Clinic says that leukemia sometimes requires treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy in order to keep it under control.
Targeted Therapy
The National Cancer Institute describes targeted therapy as a treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells. Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific vulnerabilities, or weak areas, within the leukemia cells, states MayoClinic.com.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also known as biological therapy, uses the person’s own immune system to fight the cancer cells, reports the National Cancer Institute. Immunotherapy uses substances that help boost or direct the immune system into recognizing and attacking leukemia cells.
Stem Cell Transplant
MayoClinic.com says that a stem cell transplant can treat leukemia by replacing the diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow. The stem cells, or immature blood cells, are removed from the blood or bone marrow of the patient or from a donor. The person endures high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy the diseased bone marrow before a stem cell transplant. Infusion of the stem cells occurs after the completion of therapy, notes the National Cancer Institute. The re-infused stem cells grow and restore the body with healthy blood cells.
