How is leukaemia treated?

Leukaemia is not one single illness. Doctors first identify the subtype using blood tests and often a bone marrow biopsy, then assess chromosome or gene changes and how the disease is responding. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing leukaemia cells. Targeted therapy is matched to a feature of particular cells and may be used alone or with other medicines. Treatment may be intensive at first, followed by further therapy to reduce the chance of remaining disease.

Low blood counts can cause tiredness, infection risk, or bleeding. Blood transfusion support may replace red cells or platelets when needed. A stem cell transplant may be considered when the disease or its response makes this appropriate; it requires careful preparation and monitoring.

Keep every blood-test and treatment appointment, because counts can change quickly. Tell the team about fever, new bruises, bleeding, medicines, and recent contact with infections. Ask which activities and foods need extra precautions during periods of low immunity. Unexplained weight loss or easy bruising should be reported and assessed, although neither symptom by itself confirms leukaemia.

Call your treatment team immediately for a fever, shaking chills, new breathlessness, unusual bleeding, black stools, severe headache, or confusion. Seek emergency help for uncontrolled bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or a rapidly worsening condition. Do not wait for the next appointment if you have been told your immune system or blood counts are low.

Which leukaemia subtype do I have? What did the bone marrow biopsy and genetic tests show? What is the aim of each treatment phase? When might transfusion support or stem cell transplant be needed? Which symptoms require an immediate call?