Question 1

what can i do to treat adult chronic leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Depends on type: Treatment will depend on type of chronic leukemia--cml vs cll. For cll, the treatment will be indicated only if symptomatic or there is indication to treat. Asymptomatic will be put on observation only.  CML is associated with a bcr-abl fusion gene abnormality. Treatment is a pill  - which is a  tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targeted to the abnormal bcr-abl fusion gene.

Question 2

what does having adult chronic leukemia mean?

Accepted Answer

Chonic leukemia: Chronic leukemia in general can be divided in to chronic lymphocyic leukemia (cll)  or chronic myelogenous leukemia (cml).. Boh are usually in adult. Median age a diagnosis in CML is 50 yrs; and in cll is  70 yrs. Cll accounts for 30% leukemia case -which is the most common leukemia in western countries. CML accounts for 15-20% cases. Most common presentation for both are abnormal blood test.

Question 3

how long can you leave with un-treated chronic leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on the type of chronic leukemia. One could live for decades with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Visit this site for info on CLL: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352428

Question 4

my brother has adult chronic leukemia. what should i tell him?

Accepted Answer

Treatable: The typical chronic leukemias are CML or cll. Nowadays CML has become a chronic disease for most adults and most patients are expected to do very well with oral meds alone. Many cll patients are just observed in the beginning. There are many effective treatment options available too.

Question 5

how does chronic leukemia usually present and how is it usually treated? can people live with it longterm and live a relatively normal life?

Accepted Answer

: There are two major types of chronic leukemias: Lymphoid and Myeloid. Visit the two sites below for information.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/about/what-is-cll.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-myeloid-leukemia/about/what-is-cml.html

Question 6

is chronic leukemia always fatal in adults?

Accepted Answer

Different types: There are multiple types of chronic leukemias. Some worse than others. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) generally occurs on older people and may be with the person for a number of year and the person may die of other causes with the leukemia but not of the leukemia.
See this site for more info on CLL.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/basics/definition/con-20031195

Question 7

what percentage of people with adult chronic leukemia in remission?

Accepted Answer

More info needed: There are several types of chronic leukemia. Can you be more specific in what you would like to know?

Question 8

what are the percentages of adult chronic leukemia going into remission?

Accepted Answer

Depends on type.: The most common chronic leukemia is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (cll).  With initial treatment with the most aggressive treatments, such as fcr have a response rate of 95% and complete remission rate of 70%.  Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has a 95% rate of complete cytogenetic response for chronic phase patients receiving initial therapy with the latest drugs.

Question 9

what are pros cons of drug procrit (epoetin alfa) to treat 88 year-old man whose chronic leukemia is now becoming acute where he needs transfusions every two weeks?

Accepted Answer

Leukemia: This is a difficult dilemma answer even knowing all the facts, which we don't have in this forum. If the treatment side effects are mild and would help prevent the patient from having a routine blood transfusions then obviously this might be the better choice. Any treatment decisions would of course be that of the patient.  A family meeting with the attending physician and the patient might be a good way to solve this issue.

Question 10

what are the tests for chronic leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Blood work etc: You would need at least- blood work.  Imaging scan for abdomen would be needed  in certain chronic leukemia ( cml) to evaluate spleen or if there is other indication ( such as presence of abdominal pain etc); a bone marrow biopsy will be needed in certain case of chronic leukemia. Please discuss further in detail with your hematologist/ oncologist.  Read more at www.Cancer.Net ; www.Lls.Org.

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Doctor answers about:

What can I do to treat adult chronic leukemia

A member asked:

What can i do to treat adult chronic leukemia?

A member asked:

What does having adult chronic leukemia mean?

A member asked:

How long can you leave with un-treated chronic leukemia?

A member asked:

My brother has adult chronic leukemia. what should i tell him?

A member asked:

How does chronic leukemia usually present and how is it usually treated? can people live with it longterm and live a relatively normal life?

A member asked:

Is chronic leukemia always fatal in adults?

A member asked:

What percentage of people with adult chronic leukemia in remission?

A member asked:

What are the percentages of adult chronic leukemia going into remission?

A member asked:

What are pros cons of drug procrit (epoetin alfa) to treat 88 year-old man whose chronic leukemia is now becoming acute where he needs transfusions every two weeks?

A member asked:

What are the tests for chronic leukemia?

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