[Medical Q&A] What are the classification and treatment strategies of leukemia?

Author: Yang Lihua, deputy chief physician, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University

Reviewer: Luo Xuequn, Chief Physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University

Leukemia can be divided into acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia progresses quickly. Chronic leukemia progresses slowly and may not be life-threatening for more than ten years.

Acute leukemia is mainly divided into lymphoid and myeloid leukemias based on the classification of bone marrow cells. Childhood leukemia is mainly acute lymphocytic leukemia, accounting for about 75%. Acute myeloid leukemia is more common in young and middle-aged people. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia mainly occurs in the elderly.

Now that we know the different types of leukemia, our goal is to beat it. Here are the top five ways to treat leukemia.

1. Main weapon: chemotherapy - This is a therapy that kills cancer cells through infusion and medication. Currently, chemotherapy is the main treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and most children (about 90%) can be cured through chemotherapy.

2. Supplementary means: immunotherapy, targeted therapy - For some difficult-to-treat cases, immunotherapy and targeted therapy can be used as supplements to chemotherapy to improve the treatment effect.

3. Local attack: radiotherapy - When leukemia invades certain specific parts, such as the central nervous system or testicles, radiotherapy can be used for local treatment.

4. The last line of defense: stem cell transplantation - For some difficult-to-treat leukemia cases, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be a life-saving treatment.