In some cases, a period of watchful waiting may be appropriate.
The treatments for leukemia often cause infertility.
If you wish to have a child in the future, you should discuss fertility preservation before treatment begins.
Illustration by Verywell
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
Treatment ofacute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL) can take several years.
It begins with induction treatment, with the goal of remission.
Alternatively, some people may receive a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (though less commonly than with AML).
For this reason, many people are given treatment toprevent leukemiacells from remaining behind in the central nervous system.
After remission is achieved, you might have further chemotherapy.
People who have a high risk of relapse might have stem cell transplantation.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is treated with additional medications and has a very good prognosis.
This is often the best choice, even if the white blood cell count is very high.
These drugs target the BCR-ABL protein that causes the cancer cells to grow.
For those who develop resistance or cant tolerate two or more of these drugs.
Pegylated interferon (a throw in of immunotherapy) may be used.
Watchful Waiting
Most leukemias are treated aggressively when diagnosed, with the exception of CLL.
Watchful waiting does not mean the same thing as foregoing treatment and does not reduce survival when used appropriately.
It may also be used for CML that has become resistant to targeted therapy.
The goal of this treatment is to reduce the leukemia cells in the blood to undetectable levels.
Further treatment is needed after induction therapy so that cancer does not recur.
For younger people, the majority will achieve remission.
While induction therapy often achieves a complete remission, further therapy is needed so that leukemia does not recur.
For this reason, they may have fewer side effects than chemotherapy (but not always).
Drugs include:
Copiktra comes with a warning regarding a possible increased risk of death and serious side effects.
In addition, discuss any questions or concerns you may have, including possible alternative treatments.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are similar to the natural antibodies that your body makes to fight infections.
These are synthetic versions that are designed to attack cancer cells.
For CLL, monoclonal antibodies are a mainstay of treatment, often combined with chemotherapy.
These drugs target a protein (CD20) found on the surface of B cells.
Immunotherapy
There is a wide range of treatments that fall under the general category ofimmunotherapy.
These drugs work by directing your own immune system to fight cancer.
In 2024, the FDA issued Safety Labeling Changes for CAR-T therapies.
The warnings inform providers and patients of the potential risk of these therapies causing secondary cancer.
Before these transplants, a persons bone marrow cells are destroyed.
With CLL, stem cell transplantation may be used when other treatments do not control the disease.
Stem cell transplants were once the treatment of choice for CLL, but are now used much less often.
They may also be used when leukemia recurs after a previous stem cell transplant.
But they can have significant mortality.
There are a number of resources available on how to find a donor if needed.
Its important to note that somevitamins may interfere with cancer treatments.
The science is changing rapidly.
Similar progress is being made with other types of targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The five-year relative survival for all types of leukemia combined is 65%.
People who have certain types of leukemia can achieve long-term remission.
National Cancer Institute.Adult lymphoblastic leukemia treatment (PDQ): health professional version.
National Cancer Institute.Adult acute myeloid leukemia treatment (PDQ): health professional version.
National Cancer Institute.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ): health professional version.
National Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Chronic myelogenous leukemia, bcr-abl1 positive.
American Cancer Society.Treatment response rates for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Scemblixasciminib tablet, film coated[drug label].
National Cancer Institute.Chronic myelogenous leukemia treatment (PDQ): health professional version.
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National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: leukemia.
