Can cancer in the blood be treated?
Treatment will depend on the type of blood cancer you have, your age, how fast the cancer is progressing, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. Because treatments for blood cancer have vastly improved over the last several decades, many types of blood cancers are now highly treatable.
What treatment is given for blood cancer?
Chemotherapy is the major form of treatment for leukemia. This drug treatment uses chemicals to kill leukemia cells. Depending on the type of leukemia you have, you may receive a single drug or a combination of drugs. These drugs may come in a pill form, or they may be injected directly into a vein.
What is the survival rate of cancer of the blood?
Overall, the five-year survival rate for blood cancer is 70%. That means someone diagnosed with blood cancer is only 70% as likely to be alive in five years as someone their age who doesn’t have cancer.
What is the most treatable blood cancer?
While it is similar in many ways to the other subtypes, APL is distinctive and has a very specific treatment regime. Treatment outcomes for APL are very good, and it is considered the most curable type of leukemia. Cure rates are as high as 90%.
How long is blood cancer treatment?
The total treatment usually takes about 2 years, with the maintenance phase taking up most of this time. Treatment may be more or less intense, depending on the subtype of ALL and other prognostic factors. ALL can spread to the area around the brain and spinal cord.
Is blood cancer serious?
Acute leukemia happens when most of the abnormal blood cells don’t mature and can’t carry out normal functions. It can get bad very fast. Chronic leukemia happens when there are some immature cells, but others are normal and can work the way they should. It gets bad more slowly than acute forms do.
How long is chemotherapy for blood cancer?
Chemo treatment for ALL is typically divided into 3 phases: Induction, which is short and intensive, usually lasts about a month. Consolidation (intensification), which is also intensive, typically lasts for a few months. Maintenance (post-consolidation), which is less intensive, typically lasts for about 2 years.
What is the main cause of blood cancer?
Blood Cancer Causes Smoking or tobacco use. Family history of leukemia. Blood disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome. Previous cancer treatment or exposure to radiation therapy.
How long does it take to cure blood cancer?
The total treatment usually takes about 2 years, with the maintenance phase taking up most of this time. Treatment may be more or less intense, depending on the subtype of ALL and other prognostic factors.