In most cases, the cure for leukemia is achieved through bone marrow transplantation, however, although not so common, leukemia can be cured only with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other treatment. Learn more about transplantation at: Bone marrow transplantation.
The chances of a cure for leukemia vary with the type of leukemia, its severity, the number and type of cells affected, the age and the immune system of the patient, and acute leukemia, which develops rapidly, is more likely to cure than chronic leukemia, which develops more slowly, is identified later and, therefore, has less chance of cure.
Leukemia Treatments
The treatment of leukemia varies according to the type of leukemia the patient has and its severity, however, treatment usually involves:
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy consists of administering medications that can be in the form of pills or injections applied directly to the vein, spine or head that are usually taken at the hospital during an inpatient phase. The oncologist may prescribe the use of only one or several medications at the same time, depending on the type of leukemia that the person has.
The intercourse can last for days or weeks but the person leaves the hospital and returns home to recover better. But after a few weeks or months at home, the doctor may request a new phase of hospitalization to perform a new cycle of chemotherapy that can be done with the same or other medications.
See what they are and how to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy.
2. Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy consists of applying radio waves, emitted by a specific device inside a cancer hospital, in a region that has a cluster of cancer cells to eliminate them. Radiotherapy is particularly indicated when there is a risk of cancer spreading to other areas of the body.
Know what to eat to relieve the Effects of Radiotherapy.
3. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that causes monoclonal antibodies to bind to cancer cells so that they can be combated by the body's natural defense system and also with specific medications. Immunotherapy with interferon reduces the growth rate of cancer cells.
Find out which are the most used Monoclonal Antibodies.
4. Marrow transplant
Bone marrow transplantation is one of the forms of treatment for leukemia and consists of injecting a healthy person's bone marrow cells into the patient's bloodstream so that they produce healthy defense cells that can fight cancer.
The chances of a cure for leukemia are as follows:
| Type of leukemia | Treatment | Chances of cure |
| Acute Myeloid Leukemia | Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, blood transplants, antibiotics and bone marrow transplantation | Greater chances of cure |
| Acute lymphoid leukemia | Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, steroid injections and bone marrow transplantation | Higher chances of cure, especially in children |
| Chronic myeloid leukemia | Specific drugs for life and, in severe cases, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation | Less chance of cure |
| Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia | It is usually only done when the patient has symptoms and includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy | Lower chances of cure, especially in the elderly |
The time of leukemia treatment also varies according to the type of leukemia, its severity, the organism and the age of the patient, however, it usually varies between 2 to 3 years, and in chronic myeloid leukemia it can last a lifetime.
When the treatment is effective and the patient is cured, he should only have tests every 6 months to confirm that the disease does not appear again, being free from any treatment.
See how food can help treat leukemia at:
