Leukemia Treatment: Present And Future

Leukemia is a subtype of cancer that affects blood-producing cells (especially white blood cells), which reproduce uncontrollably.

At the moment, the causes of leukemia are unknown. However, we can point out a number of risk factors. For example, exposure to radiation, the consumption of toxic substances, genetic inheritance or certain alterations; we include Down syndrome and Fanconi syndrome, among others.

Likewise, we can differentiate a series of subtypes within leukemia:

• According to the patient’s medical history:
  • De novo. The subject has not presented any underlying disorder to this disease.
  • High schools. In this case, the subject has suffered some problem that has triggered the presence of this alteration.
• According to the speed of its development:
  • Sharp The evolution of the disease is very fast.
  • Chronicles. On the other hand, the disorder can develop slowly or progressively.
• According to the blood cells that affect initially:
  • Lymphoblastic or lymphatic. Thus, this class of cancer affects lymphocytes, a subtype of leukocytes (a cell synthesized in the bone marrow).
  • Myeloblastic or myelocytic. It affects the precursor cells of platelets and red blood cells.

Leukemia Treatments

The main goal of treatment is to neutralize cancer cells. In the background, the symptoms will be attended to, to ensure the best possible quality of life for the patient.

Chemotherapy

In it, the person is given a series of drugs indicated to destroy altered cells once they reach the bloodstream. They can also be administered both orally and intravenously.

General (short-term) side effects:

• Loss of hair.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Formation of ulcers in the oral cavity.
• Loss of appetite Therefore, the patient usually loses weight in a limited period of time (without intending to).
• Intestinal problems (especially diarrhea).
• Tiredness and weakness in the limbs.
• Increased risk of developing infections and bruises.

Radiotherapy

In it, controlled amounts of radiation are applied to certain areas affected by cancer. However, it is a pattern that is not carried out as frequently for this disease. For example, to shrink tumors that may have formed or before bone marrow transplantation.

Side effects (short term):

• Hair loss on the treated part.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dermatological alterations in the area where the treatment is applied.
• Diarrhea.
• General tiredness or weakness.
• Increased risk of infection.
• Difficulty breathing normally.

Stem cell transplant to treat leukemia

It is used together with other treatments (especially chemotherapy). This is because the side effects of other regimens are too aggressive to increase the patient’s dose. Thus, more cancer cells are destroyed, exceeding the chances of survival. The transplant can be both blood and bone marrow.

Side effects (short term):

• Loss of hair.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite and weight.
• Sores inside the oral cavity.
• Dramatically increased contracting an infection.
• Transplant rejection (allogeneic).

Targeted therapy

It also uses a set of specialized drugs, but they are different from chemotherapy. These chemical compounds are capable of attacking a protein that encourages the growth of cancer cells. Likewise, only the cells that cause this ailment have a genetic modification, the Philadelphia chromosome, which allows them to synthesize this protein.

Side effects (short term):

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea.
• General tiredness or weakness (especially in the muscles).
• Skin rash. As a general rule, they can present a variable discomfort.

• Inflammation around the eyes. It can also occur on the feet and hands.

With all this, it is concluded that the treatment of leukemia is personalized for each patient. In addition, survival from the disease has increased.