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Splenectomy
The spleen is an organ on the left side of the body, near the stomach. CLL cells can collect in the spleen, causing it to become enlarged. Sometimes, the spleen becomes so large that it presses on nearby organs, causing pain. Also, an enlarged spleen may lower a person’s blood cell counts to dangerous levels. An operation to remove the spleen is called a splenectomy. Splenectomy is helpful for select patients. The operation may reduce pain and help improve blood counts.
Follow-Up Care
Click here for information about follow-up care, including what to expect, long-term and late effects of treatment, survivorship clinics, and other resources such as The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines.
Use the Survivorship Workbook to collect all the important information you need throughout diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and long-term management of a blood cancer.
Ph-Positive ALL Therapy
About 25 percent of adults with ALL have a subtype called “Ph-positive ALL” (also known as “Ph+ ALL” or “Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL”). The leukemia cells of these patients have the Philadelphia chromosome, which is formed by a translocation between parts of chromosomes 9 and 22. A piece of chromosome 9 breaks off and attaches to chromosome 22, and a piece of chromosome 22 similarly breaks off and attaches to chromosome 9. The abnormal chromosome 22 is known as the Philadelphia chromosome. This chromosomal alteration creates a fusion gene called BCR-ABL1.
Relapsed and Refractory
Some chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients still have leukemia cells in their bone marrow after initial treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). "Refractory" is the term used to refer to a disease that has not responded to the initial treatment. Relapse is the term used to refer to the return of a disease after a period of improvement.
TKIs used for "initial" or first-line treatment for chronic phase CML include:
Follow-Up Care
Click here for information about follow-up care, including what to expect, long-term and late effects of treatment, survivorship clinics, and other resources such as The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines.
Use the Survivorship Workbook to collect all the important information you need throughout diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and long-term management of a blood cancer.
Janet
I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the age of 28, and our firstborn son was four months old. I am currently a 36-year survivor, married 41 years with four sons, four daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren.
AML Subtypes
Doctors classify acute myeloid leukemia (AML) into subtypes by using various tests. It's important to know your AML subtype because it plays a large part in determining the type of treatment you'll receive.
Sandra
I'm a survivor of multiple myeloma and MDS. Now I just want to raise awareness for the cause its seriousness.
Having both these diseases is tough, but I'm trying to take it all in and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society offers wonderful support.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms are changes in the body that may indicate the presence of disease. A sign is a change that the doctor sees during an exam or in a laboratory test result. A symptom is a change that a patient can see and/or feel.
It is common for a child with ALL to feel a loss of well-being because of the lack of normal, healthy blood cells.
Symptoms of a low red blood cell count (anemia) include:
Treatment
It's important that your doctor is experienced in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or has access to an AML specialist.
Types of AML TreatmentDoctors use several types of treatment for adults with AML, some at different stages. Click on the links below to read more about each type of treatment.
Lindsay
Hello, my name is Lindsay. I was recently diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Among being diagnosed with this my husband and I have been going through infertility as well. It is helpful to connect with others going through the same process that we are.
God bless!
Tracy
In 2001 at the age of 31, I was living in Maui working at the Ritz Carlton and began to feel sick. I had a rash on my hand, was tired, losing weight, and just did not feel well. I had been healthy all my life so thought it would pass.
Marty
My story is very unique. Christine and I got married in July of 1979. In August she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As we all now know, the prognosis at that time was not the best for an adult with ALL. There was a new procedure called a bone marrow transplant. Chris was not a candidate and seven months after we were married, she passed away at the age of 26.
Amos
Amos is 6 years old and has been in treatment for leukemia since September 2017.
Three weeks after his very first day of kindergarten, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Amos spent a month in the hospital for the initial induction phase of his treatment, and then was homebound for 9 more months while he continued his intensive chemotherapy regimen. His immune system was so compromised that he could not attend school or be in public spaces. He received tutoring from a teacher twice a week at home.
Helena
In 2018, a few days before Thanksgiving, Helena noticed something. She was having difficulty lifting speakers at her gigs. She became winded after only a few songs. Even the most minute tasks became daunting.
Jaiden
My son, Jaiden was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on November 21, 2018. Prior to his diagnosis, Jaiden was a very well-rounded athlete and he played almost every sport, until one day during a football he fractured his arm and was done for the season. Needless to say, he was in a cast for 6 weeks.
Terry
My life has been an interesting journey. In April 2019, I lost my wife of 20 years, and in August 2020, I lost my older brother to leukemia. My wife was 50, and my brother was 64. After several months of excruciating pain in my abdomen, I was finally diagnosed with non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma (B-NHL) in May 2021. I was 58. Upon entering the hospital in June for my first round of chemo, I was diagnosed with acute renal failure. After several days of treatment, I finally started my chemotherapy. I was lucky, or so I thought, no radiation for me.
Lauren
In the fall of 2022, my cousin lost her battle with leukemia. She was the most lovely (a word that makes me think of her) and kind person, and at the memorial service, Kate's sister said Kate had said, "There is nothing better than to be young and to run." This sentiment stuck with me for a long time as I am also a runner, and I started thinking about how I could honor her in my own way. The family had directed those who wished to donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), so I researched and discovered Team In Training (TNT).
AML Subtype
Determining the AML subtype is an important factor in treatment planning for your child. This determination is made based on certain features of the leukemia cells identified with the diagnostic tests. The doctor will speak with you about the drugs and “treatment protocols” (detailed plans of treatments and procedures) that are indicated based on your child’s AML subtype.
Clinical Trials
Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice for some Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Clinical trials are under way to develop treatments that increase the remission rate or cure the disease. Today's standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to invest funds in HL research.
Click here to read more about clinical trials.
Sahara
In August 2021, I was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). I am now cancer-free. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) helped me tremendously throughout my process. I had the privilege of raising money for LLS through an Instagram campaign by sharing my story online.
Relapsed and Refractory
Refractory AML: Most patients achieve a remission (an absence of signs and symptoms) after initial treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, some patients have residual leukemic cells in their marrow even after intensive treatment. Patients who have not achieved complete remission after two cycles of induction chemotherapy are usually diagnosed as having "refractory AML."