Leukemia: Treatment Through Biological Therapy and Chemotherapy

Leukemia is a cancer in which human blood forms tissues such as the bone marrow and lymphatic system and causes abnormal blood cells to flow into the bloodstream in large quantities (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Unlike normal blood cells, leukemia cells do not die even if aged or damaged. As a result, leukemic cells can accumulate and squeeze normal blood cells, make it difficult for the body to supply oxygen to the tissues, prevent bleeding, and prevent infection. In 2013, more than 43,000 adults in the United States and 5,000 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with this disease (National Cancer Institute, 2013).

The most common treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy (kee - mo - THER - a - pee), radiotherapy and / or bone marrow transplantation. In chemotherapy, a patient passes one or more antitumor agents through a single intravenous tube from the mouth or vein. In some cases, the doctor needs to inject the medicine directly into the brain and body fluid around the spinal cord. Chemotherapy may cause side effects such as depilation, nausea, fatigue, etc. depending on the medicine used. Most side effects disappear during treatment or after treatment ends

Treatment of leukemia includes three main steps: induction, integration and maintenance. Introduction therapy attempts to induce remission for about 4 weeks by killing leukemic cells with steroids and chemotherapy. After introduction, the focus of integrated therapy is on elusive leukemia cells that may be hidden in the test. Stem cell transplantation, additional chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are some of the commonly used methods of this treatment stage.

Induction therapy is the first chemotherapy treatment aimed at destroying leukemic cells as much as possible, achieving normal blood cell counts, and reducing treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia. Introduction therapy is usually very strong and lasts about 1 month. The drugs commonly used at this stage are daunorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone, asparaginase. Approximately 98% to 99% of newly diagnosed children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia achieve initial complete remission within 4 to 6 weeks (detectable leukemic cells are not detected by the microscope). About 90% of children will heal. Patients who remain free of leukemia for more than 10 years can be considered to have cured