A type of cancer that starts in the blood forming cells. New blood (red and white) cells are formed in the bone marrow, a soft tissue found in most of the bones. White blood cells are often described as soldiers of our body as they are a part of the immune system and protect the body from various infections.
They produce antibodies and destroy the invading bacteria. Leukemia is a condition in which the bone marrow starts producing abnormal white blood cells in large numbers. These cells grow in an uncontrolled manner and do not function properly, as a result serious problems can develop.
Initial treatment of AML usually begins with induction chemotherapy using a combination of drugs such as daunorubicin (DNR), cytarabine (ara-C), idarubicin, thioguanine, etoposide, or mitoxantrone.
Follow-up therapy for such patients may involve:
- supportive care, such as intravenous nutrition and treatment with oral antibiotics (e.g., ofloxacin, rifampin), especially in patients who have prolonged granulocytopenia; that is too few mature granulocytes (neutrophils), the bacteria-destroying white blood cells that contain small particles, or granules (<>
- injection with colony-stimulating factors such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which may help to shorten the period of granulocytopenia that results from induction therapy; and
- transfusions with red blood cells and platelets.
Complementary and Alternative Options
These options encompasses a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches and therapies. Complementary and alternative medicines complement conventional cancer therapies such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The following list contains only some of the complementary and alternative leukemia treatment options:
- Nutritional Therapy
- Pain Management
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Mind-Body Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Spiritual Support
- Image Enhancement
Spiritual Support
To fulfill the range of alternatives we must include spiritual options. Biblical stories of hope and scriptures often stimulate the hope needed to go on. Lets not forget that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new path. What we all want is to enjoy life, in a healthy body until that day comes.
