Leukemia is considered one of the most dangerous forms of cancer, given that it affects the blood and its functions. It is also considered as dangerous because of the very difficult symptoms that people who suffer from the disease exhibit, such as abnormal bleeding and increased incidence of infections. However, recent developments in medical research have now increased the chances of beating the disease.
Treatments
When a person is diagnosed with leukemia, he is most likely referred to a hematologist-oncologist, who is a doctor that specializes in the treatment of leukemia. After examination, the doctor then suggests the possible treatments that can be employed to treat the leukemia, which will depend on the type and severity of the leukemia. The usual treatment of leukemia is divided into two categories: treatments that are aimed at fighting the cancer and treatments that are aimed at relieving the symptoms and the side effects of the disease.
Among possible cancer treatments, the most commonly used to fight leukemia is chemotherapy, which involves the use of very powerful medication to kill leukemia cells. This therapy is usually done in cycles, and the medication can either be taken intravenously or orally. However, although chemotherapy is very effective in killing cancer cells, it can also kill healthy cells, which explains some of its side effects. Some of these side effects include hair loss, irritation in the esophagus, and other symptoms. In recent years, newer agents have been developed and are being used for chemotherapy; these new agents do not affect healthy cells as much as the conventional agents used in chemotherapy.
Another treatment includes the use of biological drug therapy; leukemia patients take biological drugs that act in a manner similar to the body's immune system such as antibodies. These drugs are designed to also target cancer cells.
Another form of therapy is radiation therapy, which involves the use of radiation that is targeted on the organs where large deposits of cancer cells can be found. However, this form of therapy can have some negative long-term effects.
Leukemia is one of the most dangerous types of cancer because it has the potential to spread the cancer to other organs. However, developments in medical research have now increased the chances of beating the cancer.
Leukemia provides detailed information on Leukemia, Leukemia Symptoms, Childhood Leukemia, Leukemia Treatments and more. Leukemia is affiliated with Social Security Disabilities.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey
Leukemia Treatments
