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Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia Treatment
The earlier acute lymphocytic leukemia is detected, the more
effective the treatment. The aim is to induce a lasting remission, defined as
the absence of detectable cancer cells in the body (usually less than 5% blast
cells on the bone marrow).
Treatment for acute leukemia can include chemotherapy, steroids, radiation
therapy, intensive combined treatments (including bone marrow or stem cell
transplants), and growth factors.
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Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the initial treatment of choice. Most ALL patients end up
receiving a combination of different treatments. There are no surgical options,
due to the body-wide distribution of the malignant cells.
As the chemotherapy regimens can be intensive and protracted (often about 2
years in case of the GMALL or UKALL protocols; about 3 years for males on COG
protocols), many patients have an intravenous catheter inserted into a large
vein (termed a central venous catheter or a Hickman line).
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Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is used on painful bony areas, in high disease burden, or as
part of the preparations for a bone marrow transplant (total body irradiation).
Radiation in the form of whole brain radiation is also used for central nervous
system prophylaxis, to prevent recurrence of leukemia in the brain.
Acute lymphoblastic
leukemia
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