Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia
Alternate Names : Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, AML
What are the treatments for the disease?
ANLL is usually treated with chemotherapy. This involves a combination of powerful medicines given through the veins. These medicines are usually given over several months. Chemotherapy will kill the ANLL cells, but it will also damage the normal bone marrow. Some people are given bone marrow from another person to help recovery. This is called a bone marrow transplant.
The first course of therapy is called induction therapy. It is designed to induce a remission, or complete destruction of the ANLL. After remission, the original treatment is repeated. This is to make the remission last by destroying any remaining disease.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects of treatments can include some of the same signs and symptoms as the leukemia, such as:
allergic reactions to medicines
bleeding problems that may require transfusions
common or unusual infections
diarrhea or poor food absorption
irritation of the gastrointestinal tract
mouth sores
nausea and vomiting
numbness or burning pain in the extremities
weakness and fatigue
weight loss
The person will experience other specific side effects related to the type of medicine that is given.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
After therapy has been completed, the bone marrow will usually recover and begin to function normally again. This usually takes several weeks. A cycle of treatment followed by a recovery period may be repeated several times until all signs of ANLL are gone.
How is the disease monitored?
After all therapy has been completed, blood samples will be taken to make sure the person continues to be in remission. Another bone marrow biopsy may also be needed. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
|
Previous section
