The Leukemia Treatment - Essay Example

"The Leukemia Treatment" is a wonderful example of a paper on cancer. 
Patients suffering from acute leukemia begin treatment with chemotherapy at the hospital. Chemotherapy entails the use of a single drug or a combination of drugs that target and eliminates leukemia cells (Faderl and Kantarjian 2011). The treatment is delivered to the patient’s body in different ways, which include by mouth, intravenous injection, injection directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, or via the catheter. Patients may elicit various side effects as treatment progresses, depending on drugs used and the dose. Rapidly dividing cells are specifically affected during treatment, which includes blood cells and cells in hair roots; that may result in general body malaise, easy bruising, and hair loss. The patient may also be more susceptible to infections and are preferably placed in isolation or under sterile conditions due to their delicate nature while experiencing mouth sores, nausea, lack of appetite, and vomiting (Schoenstadt 2010). 

The purpose of stem cell transplantation is to restore the functions of the bone marrow for treatment in patients suffering from leukemia. There are two main types of stem cell transplantation are autologous and allogeneic transplantations, of which the decision to choose between either is based on the type of leukemia involved, patient’s age, and availability of a stem cell donor (Morrison and Hesdorffer, 2010). Stem cell transplantation is done in specialized transplant centers and bears side effects that range from minor to life-threatening ones. Side effects include; cataracts, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and congestive heart failure. Patients may also present with retarded growth, premature menopause, pneumonitis, and blockage of liver veins. Also, the patient may develop graft-versus-host disease, which can be mild or severe. 

Surgery is normally not advocated as a mode of treatment for leukemia, as it would most likely spread to most vital organs. However, in rare cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, surgery is performed to remove the spleen, to stop the spleen from destroying red blood cells and platelets. Surgery can also be performed during the diagnosis stage of leukemia, where a swollen lymph node may be removed to confirm the diagnosis. Also, surgery may be performed to place a central venous catheter during chemotherapy. 

Radiation therapy is usually used as a treatment plan that incorporates chemotherapy; where ionizing radiation is used to target and destroy leukemia cells, preventing them from spreading and relieve symptoms. Radiotherapy destroys both healthy cells and the leukemia cells that are in the way of the ionizing beam, which results in undesired side effects that take a toll on the patient’s body (“Treatment for Leukemia”, 2011). Side effects associated with radiation therapy include fatigue, hair loss, skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term side effects depend on the patient’s age, and the amount of radiation received and may include; infertility, cataracts, delays in growth and development in children. 

Stem cell transplantation provides a unique opportunity for the affects organs to regenerate themselves and restore the normal functions to the benefit of the patient. However, the process takes time and requires well-trained personnel to achieve success. The process is also expensive and demands a matching donor for the procedure to be carried out. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy also have their shortcomings but play a crucial role in the treatment of leukemia.  

In conclusion, it can, therefore, be noted that the best treatment plan entails a combination of the available treatment options. A combination of all treatments presents the patient with a better chance to survive and lead a better life without the recurrence of the ailment.