In ALL, the abnormal cells may collect in the brain or spinal cord. The result may be headaches, vomiting, confusion, loss of muscle control, and seizures. Leukemia cells can also collect in the testicles and cause swelling. Also, some patients develop sores in the eyes or on the skin. It can also affect the digestive tract, kidneys, lungs, or other parts of the body.
Most patients with leukemia are treated with chemotherapy. Some also may have radiation therapy and/or bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Depending on the type of leukemia, patients may receive a single drug or a combination of two or more drugs. Some anticancer drugs can be taken by mouth. Most are given by IV injection. Often, patients who need to have many IV treatments receive the drugs through a catheter. One end of this tube is placed in a large vein, often in the upper chest. Drugs are injected into the catheter, rather than directly into a vein, to avoid the discomfort of repeated injections and injury to the skin.
Radiation therapy is used along with chemo for some kinds of leukemia. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Radiation for leukemia can be given in two ways. It can be directed to a specific spot in the body where there is a collection of leukemia cells, such as the testicles or spleen. Other patients may receive whole body radiation, which is given before a bone marrow transplant.
Bone marrow transplantation may be used on some patients. The leukemia-producing bone marrow is destroyed by using high doses of drugs and radiation and then replaced by healthy bone marrow. Bone marrow transplant patients usually stay in the hospital for several weeks or months. Until the transplanted bone marrow begins to produce enough white blood cells, patients have to be protected from infection.
