What Is Leukaemia?

Leukaemia is a form of blood cancer that occurs when there is growth of abnormal cells within the bone marrow. This abnormal growth affects the production of white blood cells, making the individual’s immune system weaker and therefore more prone to infections.

What Are The Leukaemia Statistics In Australia And What Are The Options For Leukaemia Treatment?

Leukaemia affects thousands of Australians each year. In 2009 for example, 2576 Australians were dialogised with Leukaemia. There are four types of Leukaemia with varied treatment options for each:

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

– chemotherapy

– peripheral blood stem cell and bone marrow transplantation

– radiotherapy to the head

– steroid therapy.

Acute myeloid leukaemia

– chemotherapy

– peripheral blood stem cell and bone marrow transplantation

– radiotherapy to the head.

Chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia

– watchful waiting

– radiation therapy

– chemotherapy (chemotherapy with stem cell transplant is being tested in clinical trials)

– surgery (removal of spleen)

– monoclonal antibody therapy.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia

– tyrosine kinase inhibitory therapy

– chemotherapy

– biologic therapy

– high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant

– donor lymphocyte infusion

– surgery (removal of spleen).