Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a severe oncohematological pathology, which in its natural course can lead to the death of the patient within a few months. The main treatment method is chemotherapy, but stem cell transplant can sometimes be performed as well. It is worth noting that children have a better prognosis than adults.
Content
- Treatment regimen in children
- Additional treatment
- Treatment of recurrence
- Treatment of adults
- Treatment in Germany with the Booking Health company
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the lymphoid blood cells.
Depending on the disease stage, treatment of ALL includes chemo- and targeted therapy, radiation therapy, CAR T-cell therapy, bone marrow transplant.
Cost of treatment with high-intensity chemotherapy starts at €43,781. Cost of CAR T-cell therapy starts at €81,970. You can find other prices on our website.
The best hospitals for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Germany are:
- University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
- University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
- University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch
- Clinic of Advanced Biological Medicine Frankfurt am Main
Treatment regimen in children
The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children is divided into three stages. The patient receives the most intensive therapy during the first 3 months. In total, the treatment lasts up to 3 years.
- Induction. The purpose of the treatment is to achieve remission. After 1 month, it can be achieved in 95% of children. The child stays in the hospital because he may develop infectious complications. In the case of their development, the patient requires medical care and antibiotic therapy. The child usually receives a scheme of 3 drugs, but if he is in a high-risk group, there may be added the fourth drug. In some genetic mutations, doctors can use targeted therapy.
- Consolidation. It lasts several months. and begins after achieving a remission. During the consolidation phase, the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children can further reduce the number of malignant cells. Therefore, to reduce the risk of formation of resistance, the doctors use chemotherapy drugs of several groups.
- Maintenance therapy. It is used to maintain a remission as long as possible. Some drugs can be applied continuously, while others with the courses of 1-2 months.
Additional treatment
Should leukemia spread to the central nervous system, intrathecal chemotherapy will be carried out. It is performed 2 times, with a break of 1-2 months. During the course of such treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children, they can have convulsions, and therefore anticonvulsants may be required.
Late intensification is an additional treatment regimen, which can be applied during the consolidation phase. This is an intensive therapy, which is used in order to fix a remission.
Radiation therapy can be carried out only in T-cell leukemia. If the tumor develops in the brain, it can be irradiated as well.
Some children can undergo stem cell transplant during the consolidation phase. It is especially effective if the patient has a brother or sister who have a high degree of genetic compatibility.
Treatment of recurrence
The treatment of the recurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia involves the use of chemotherapy. If the disease recurred after a very long period after the first episode of pathology, doctors can apply the same regimen as for the first time. It is very likely to be effective. With an early recurrence, chemotherapy may not give a good result. In this case, the best solution would be a stem cell transplant.
Sometimes the patient may develop a extramedullary relapse. This is a phenomenon, in which a tumor appears outside the red bone marrow. It can occur in the central nervous system or testicle. In this case, such treatment methods as intensive chemotherapy, irradiation of the brain or testicle are indicated.
The treatment of relapses of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which occurred after stem cell transplant is very complex. In this case, intrathecal therapy (administration of chemotherapy agents via lumbar puncture) and immunotherapy using CAR or monoclonal antibodies are often applied.
Treatment of adults
About 40% of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are adults. The doctors note the highest mortality among them.
In general, the treatment process is the same. A person passes three stages, which include induction, consolidation and maintenance treatment. Nonetheless, adults have a more severe course of the disease. Remission can be achieved in 85% of patients, but this does not always happen as quickly as in children. The relapse can occur in 50% of patients after treatment. Complete cure is possible only in 40% of cases.
The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults involves the use of other chemotherapy regimens. If the drugs do not show a positive result, immunotherapy (monoclonal antibodies) is additionally carried out. In the case of treatment resistance, stem cell transplant can sometimes be performed. It helps to achieve, if not complete, but at least partial remission.
The patients after 65 years or debilitated patients often require lower doses of chemotherapy. They are also prescribed maintenance therapy. The patients receive blood transfusion and transfusion of blood components to normalize its clotting and eliminate manifestations of anemia. The growth of bone tumors causes pain. and therefore the doctors often use opiates for pain management.
Treatment in Germany with the Booking Health company
You can undergo treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Germany. In this country you can find the best doctors in the world specializing in hematologic diseases. To undergo timely medical care abroad and at an affordable price, please contact Booking Health. We will arrange your treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia abroad. We provide the following services and benefits:
- Selection of a medical center, which specializes in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and achieves outstanding results in this medical field.
- Reduced costs for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Germany due to the lack of coefficients and overpricing for foreign patients. Your savings will reach up to 50%.
- Booking an appointment for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children on the most suitable dates for you.
- Preparation of the program taking into account previously performed examinations.
- Establishment of communication directly with the attending physician.
- Monitoring of the program at all its stages.
- Control of invoices and return of unspent funds.
- Buying and forwarding of medicines.
- Organization of additional diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
- Communication with the clinic upon the completion of the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia abroad.
The Booking Health company will provide you with the top-class services. We will book a hotel and airline tickets for you, meet you at the German airport and take you to the clinic.
Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Farrukh Ahmed. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Sources:
National Center for Biotechnology
American Cancer Society
Cancer Support Community
