Major Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatments

Blood Product Transfusion

A blood product is not synthetic blood, rather, it is different components that make up blood such as red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Each one of these types of cells has a specific job and function. When going through treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, the doctor will determine which blood components best fit considering the patient's requirements. The doctor may also pair the transfusion with different rounds of antibiotic treatments as the patient's immune system will be greatly compromised and left with little defense. During the recovery stage, the patient's doctor may need to take various bone marrow biopsies to determine if the bone marrow is regenerating at a healthy level and all leukemia cells have dissipated.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is not typically used when treating acute myeloid leukemia, however, it can be used should the cancerous cells spread to the spinal fluid, brain, and possibly testicles. The type of radiation therapy considered most effective against acute myeloid leukemia is called external beam radiation. The process is similar to having x-rays taken. The procedure is introduced to reduce the tumor size prior to surgery or to prevent a recurrence of the tumor following surgery.