| |
| |
Foreword | |
| |
| |
Preface | |
| |
| |
Introduction | |
| |
| |
| |
The Basics | |
| |
| |
Questions 1-5 give the basic background information about blood, the immune system, and other cells involved in leukemia: | |
| |
| |
What is leukemia? | |
| |
| |
What is blood composed of and what blood cells are affected by leukemia? | |
| |
| |
How does leukemia affect my immune system? | |
| |
| |
What is bone marrow? | |
| |
| |
| |
Facts About Leukemia: Risks, Diagnosis, and Effects | |
| |
| |
Questions 6-19 describe the different kinds of leukemia that exist: what they are, who gets them, how they affect the body, and how they are diagnosed: | |
| |
| |
Are there different types of leukemia? Why is one called acute and one called chronic? | |
| |
| |
How common is leukemia? | |
| |
| |
What is myelodysplastic syndrome? Is it related to leukemia? | |
| |
| |
What is a blast? | |
| |
| |
How does someone know he or she has leukemia? | |
| |
| |
What is neutropenia? | |
| |
| |
| |
Treatment | |
| |
| |
Questions 20-31 describe the different methods of treating each form of leukemia: | |
| |
| |
How is leukemia treated? | |
| |
| |
What is chemotherapy? | |
| |
| |
How does my doctor decide which chemotherapy to give me? | |
| |
| |
What is gene therapy? | |
| |
| |
What is antisense therapy? | |
| |
| |
What is a monoclonal antibody? | |
| |
| |
What is immunotherapy? | |
| |
| |
| |
Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation | |
| |
| |
Questions 32-49 describe the process of transplantation used to cure some forms of leukemia: | |
| |
| |
What is a stem cell? | |
| |
| |
What is stem cell transplantation? | |
| |
| |
Who should have a stem cell transplant? | |
| |
| |
What is the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplants? | |
| |
| |
How is it determined which type of transplant is appropriate for my care? | |
| |
| |
How long after diagnosis should a transplant take place? | |
| |
| |
| |
Side Effects and Complications of Treatment | |
| |
| |
Questions 50-68 describe some of the side effects and complications of leukemia treatment: | |
| |
| |
Will I need blood transfusions? | |
| |
| |
Are blood transfusions safe? | |
| |
| |
What side effects might a patient experience with chemotherapy? | |
| |
| |
What types of infections do I need to be concerned about? | |
| |
| |
| |
Treatment Facilities and Healthcare Providers | |
| |
| |
Questions 69-87 describe some of the considerations in deciding upon where to get treatment and who to turn to for care: | |
| |
| |
How do I know my doctor is providing the right treatment? | |
| |
| |
Is there a difference between and attending doctor and a fellow? | |
| |
| |
Do all hospitals perform all treatments? | |
| |
| |
Do caregivers get any training? | |
| |
| |
Can and should family members be caregivers? | |
| |
| |
| |
Living with Leukemia | |
| |
| |
Questions 88-100 address some of the day-to-day issues that face leukemia patients and their loved ones: | |
| |
| |
How does someone know whether he or she is cured? | |
| |
| |
Will my child with leukemia grow up normally? | |
| |
| |
Do patients ever get back to normal? | |
| |
| |
What are the patient's physical limitations after a bone marrow transplantation? | |
| |
| |
What is the chance of the leukemia coming back? | |
| |
| |
Glossary | |
| |
| |
Appendix | |
| |
| |
Index | |