Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Lymphocytic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia is a type of cancer which affects the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow. It can not only affect the white blood cells, but also the red blood cells and the platelets in some cases. Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia is also called lymphocytic leukemia. This type of cancer does not take a long time to worsen; therefore, immediate treatment is required after the diagnosis. Lymphoblastic Leukemia can affect children as well. Spotting of certain symptoms like easy bruising or bleeding, feeling tired and fever should be checked instantly. Any previous exposure to chemotherapy or radiation also increases the risk of developing the disease. For children, genetic conditions can also cause the disease to surface.

Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia is a fatal disease. However, it is one of those types of cancer which has the highest rate of survival and is the most curable as well. The treatment for the disease includes maintenance, induction and consolidation therapy along with CNS prophylaxis.

A couple of therapies along with severe medications is required to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The individual needs to get a thorough physical checkup and checking for any signs of disease like an infection or anything unusual is also compulsory. The patient’s past health habits and illnesses should be checked upon before starting the treatment.

The patient is supposed to undergo a couple of treatments and therapy sessions. Several therapies like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy with stem cell transplant is the first step to the treatment. Other new types of treatments are also being tested. Biologic therapy and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy are few to name. A number of other follow up tests can also be required later.

Any child or adult who show symptoms of developing or having the disease should be immediately examined and treated. Symptoms like easy bruising and bleeding, reoccurring fever and a feeling of being tired are early symptoms of the disease and needs instant examination as they should not be ignored. ALL spreads rapidly to the brain and the spinal cord and conditions deteriorate quickly.

Individuals who do not show any symptoms of the disease should not consider any kind of treatment for ALL. Only children and adult who are diagnosed should go through the treatment.

Few side effects of the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia treatment include anemia, low resistance to infections, complete hair loss, fatigue, sore mouth, changes in heart muscle, periods for women and production of sperms for men stop among others.

Heart disease, cataracts and infertility issues are late effects of these ALL treatments.

After going through the treatment, the patient needs to be sure of going for follow up checkups to the doctor. This will help you keep a check on any kind of recurrence of the disease and be sure that there are no more reasons to worry. Any concern about your progress after the treatment can also be raised in front of the doctor through the following checkups.

Complete recovery from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is possible as this kind of cancer has the highest survival rate and is the most curable as well. However, patients take 10 years in remission to be considered to be completely cured.

Although curable, the cost of the treatment is extremely high. Around Rs 3,944,130 is estimated to be the entire cost of the treatment.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia has the highest survival rate and can be cured after complete treatment. However, recurrence of the cancer is also observed in numerous cases.