Bone marrow transplantation is not the only option for treating leukemia, chemotherapy can also save lives

In recent years, leukemia patients not only face the difficulty of finding suitable bone marrow, but also have to deal with the high cost of transplantation, which puts many families in a dilemma. In the general concept, bone marrow transplantation seems to be a "panacea" for treating leukemia. Once suitable bone marrow is found and successfully transplanted, the patient can hope to regain health. However, the truth is not always so simple.

Bone marrow transplantation: limitations and risks behind the halo

Although bone marrow transplantation is considered by many to be the "ultimate weapon" for treating leukemia, it is not suitable for all patients. In fact, bone marrow transplantation has strict indications and restrictions. Usually, only children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia and some adult patients will be considered for bone marrow transplantation first.

Bone marrow transplantation not only requires matching with a suitable bone marrow donor, but also requires the patient to meet certain physical standards. After a successful transplant, patients cannot rest easy. After the transplant, they may not be able to have children, and the risk of developing secondary tumors is higher than that of the general population. In addition, the postoperative recovery period after the transplant and subsequent regular checkups also bring great pressure and high costs to patients and their families.

Chemotherapy: An equally effective treatment

In contrast, chemotherapy, as a standardized treatment, although patients may experience side effects during the treatment process, has a higher overall quality of life. This is particularly evident in children with acute leukemia (ALL). Although acute leukemia is dangerous, it is not incurable. Standardized chemotherapy has been proven to effectively control the disease, especially for children with non-high-risk ALL, chemotherapy is often the preferred treatment option.

The cure rate of acute leukemia is increasing year by year with the advancement of medical technology. Although the chemotherapy effect of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is relatively poor, there are still many children who can achieve good treatment effects through chemotherapy, especially special types such as promyelocytic leukemia.

Compared with bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy has a relatively shorter treatment cycle and lower costs, and the patient's quality of life is also higher. Under standardized chemotherapy, many patients with acute leukemia can achieve long-term remission or even cure, which has been confirmed in clinical practice.

Adult leukemia patients: treatment options vary from person to person

Leukemia does not only occur in children, but also in adults. Adult leukemia is mainly divided into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Clinically, about 70% of adult acute leukemia patients need bone marrow transplantation, but whether to perform bone marrow transplantation requires comprehensive consideration of the patient's condition, physical condition and possible treatment effects.

Compared with children, adult leukemia patients often face more challenges during treatment. The immune system and body functions of adults weaken with age, and their tolerance to chemotherapy is also poor, especially for elderly patients. Despite this, systematic and personalized treatment plans can also benefit many adult leukemia patients to varying degrees.

It is worth noting that there are significant differences in immune phenotypes and leukemia genes between adult and pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Adults have a higher proportion of high-risk leukemia and poorer tolerance to chemotherapy. Therefore, for adult leukemia patients, treatment plans need to be more personalized to ensure that side effects are minimized while improving the cure rate.

Be alert to early symptoms and intervene early

While talking about treatment methods, early detection of leukemia is also crucial. Most leukemia patients will experience some mild but easily overlooked symptoms in the early stages of the disease. For example, persistent low fever, body temperature generally does not exceed 38°C, this fever is often mistaken for a common cold or inflammation. In addition, frequent and unprovoked nosebleeds and subcutaneous bleeding are another common early symptom of leukemia. Bleeding sites may be all over the body, including the gums, mouth, fundus, and nasal mucosa. In severe cases, patients may even have internal bleeding, such as intracranial, urethral, ​​etc., and may even be accompanied by enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.

Many people tend to ignore these early symptoms and miss the best time for early treatment. Therefore, physical examinations and health monitoring are essential. Through regular physical examinations, leukemia can be detected early and valuable time can be gained for treatment.

Patient families: Support and understanding are equally important

In addition to the choice of medical treatment, leukemia patients and their families also need to face tremendous psychological and life pressures. The long-term treatment and follow-up of leukemia is not only time-consuming, but also a double burden of economic and psychological. Some patients feel lonely and helpless during treatment, and even doubt whether it is possible to defeat the disease. At this time, family support, social care and professional guidance of the medical team are particularly important.

Family members should learn as much as possible about leukemia, actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment plan, and provide patients with adequate psychological support and companionship. At the same time, by joining a support group for leukemia patients and their families, they can share treatment experiences and exchange ways to cope with difficulties, which can not only relieve the psychological pressure of patients and their families, but also enhance the coping ability of the entire family.

Hope for the future: scientific progress and new treatments

With the continuous advancement of medical technology, the treatment of leukemia is gradually enriching and optimizing. For example, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, as emerging treatment methods, have achieved remarkable results in some types of leukemia. These new treatment methods can not only improve the cure rate, but also reduce the side effects of traditional treatments to some extent.

Targeted therapy precisely identifies and attacks specific targets on cancer cells, preventing them from continuing to proliferate and spread. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, activates the patient's own immune system, enabling it to more effectively identify and attack cancer cells. These emerging therapies have brought new hope to patients who have difficulty benefiting from traditional treatments.

In general, although leukemia is a dangerous disease, the advancement of medical technology and the accumulation of clinical experience have enabled more and more patients to effectively control their disease and even achieve cure. Whether it is bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy, or other emerging treatments, the most appropriate treatment plan should be selected based on a comprehensive assessment of the individual patient's condition.

Conclusion

The road to leukemia treatment is full of challenges, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle. Both patients and their families should maintain firm beliefs, actively accept standardized treatment, cooperate with the doctor's guidance, pay attention to early symptoms, and undergo regular physical examinations. Through scientific and reasonable treatment and psychological support, many leukemia patients can get out of the haze and usher in a new life. Let us work together to pave the way for the recovery of leukemia patients and ignite the dawn of hope.