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Essentially, the sole aim of leukaemia treatment is to bring about a complete remission. This means that after treatment, there is no sign of the disease and the patient returns to good health. People with leukaemia have many treatment options, such as watchful waiting, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant. If your spleen is enlarged, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove it. In short, the choice of treatment depends mainly on the type of leukaemia (acute or chronic), your age, or whether leukaemia cells were found in your cerebrospinal fluid.

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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) & Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)

First of all, people with acute leukaemia need to be treated right away. The goal of treatment is to destroy signs of leukaemia in the body and make symptoms go away. This is called a remission. After people go into remission, more therapy may be given to prevent a relapse. This type of therapy is called “consolidation therapy” or “maintenance therapy”. The good news is that many people with acute leukaemia can be cured.

Second of all, treatment for patients with acute leukaemia may include chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation or new approaches under study (clinical trials). Patients with an acute leukaemia (be it ALL or AML) need to start treatment soon after diagnosis. Usually, they begin treatment with chemotherapy, which is often given in the hospital. The first part of treatment is called “induction therapy”. More inpatient treatment is usually needed even after a patient is in remission. This is called post remission therapy which consists of “consolidation (intensification) therapy” and in some cases; the “maintenance therapy”. This part of treatment may include chemotherapy with or without stem cell transplantation (sometimes called bone marrow transplantation).

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Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)

On the other hand, if you have chronic leukaemia without symptoms, you may not need cancer treatment right away. In this case, your doctor will watch your health closely so that treatment can be commenced once you begin to have symptoms. Not getting cancer treatment right away is called watchful waiting. When treatment for chronic leukaemia is needed, it can often control the disease and its symptoms.

Perhaps, some people may receive maintenance therapy to help keep their cancer in remission, yet, chronic leukaemia can seldom be cured with chemotherapy. However, stem cell transplants offer some people with chronic leukaemia the chance for cure. For instance, your doctor can describe your treatment choices, the expected results, and the possible side effects. Also, you and your doctor can work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your medical and personal needs. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you may ask for a referral.

Specialists who treat leukaemia include haematologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Paediatric oncologists and haematologists treat childhood leukaemia. Your health care team may also include an oncology nurse and a registered dietician. Whenever possible, people should be treated at a medical centre that has doctors experienced in treating leukaemia.