Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Alternative Treatment For Blood Cancer AML M4 Apart From Chemotherapy
Question: Hi,
My Mother (Age: 53), is having Blood Cancer - AML-M4.
Doctor suggested that chemotherapy is the only option but the cure rate is very low 20%-30%. Our family is not agreeing for chemotherapy as there is a risk involved like internal bleeding.
Is there any alternative approach to cure this type of cancer ?
if she is not opting for chemotherapy, how many days she can survive ?
Is blood and platelet transfusion will help ?
My Mother (Age: 53), is having Blood Cancer - AML-M4.
Doctor suggested that chemotherapy is the only option but the cure rate is very low 20%-30%. Our family is not agreeing for chemotherapy as there is a risk involved like internal bleeding.
Is there any alternative approach to cure this type of cancer ?
if she is not opting for chemotherapy, how many days she can survive ?
Is blood and platelet transfusion will help ?
Brief Answer:
Targeted therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have gone through your report
As your mother is suffering from blood cancer AML M4 and she is not agreeing to chemotherapy i would advise targeted therapy for her
It is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is one type of targeted therapy that can be given to her
It uses antibodies made in the laboratory from a single type of immune system cell.
These antibodies can identify substances on cancer cells or normal substances that may help cancer cells grow.
They attach to the substances and kill the cancer cells, block their growth or keep them from spreading.
Monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion.
Cure rate is 50%
Without chemotherapy average survival time is around 9 months
Blood and platelet transfusion will help but just as supportive therapy and it will not cure the disease
Regards
DR DE
Targeted therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have gone through your report
As your mother is suffering from blood cancer AML M4 and she is not agreeing to chemotherapy i would advise targeted therapy for her
It is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is one type of targeted therapy that can be given to her
It uses antibodies made in the laboratory from a single type of immune system cell.
These antibodies can identify substances on cancer cells or normal substances that may help cancer cells grow.
They attach to the substances and kill the cancer cells, block their growth or keep them from spreading.
Monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion.
Cure rate is 50%
Without chemotherapy average survival time is around 9 months
Blood and platelet transfusion will help but just as supportive therapy and it will not cure the disease
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you for the valuable information.
I'll check the possibility of Monoclonal antibody therapy with my doctor.
Regarding chemotherapy, normally how effective is this on a AML-M4 type patients with age 50-60 ? how much pain this involves ?
Basically, why mother is rejecting this therapy is, she is worrying on side effects like internal bleeding and other infections and survival rate.
if a person of this age (53) with Sugar what do you normally suggest ? to go for chemo or any other option ?
I'll check the possibility of Monoclonal antibody therapy with my doctor.
Regarding chemotherapy, normally how effective is this on a AML-M4 type patients with age 50-60 ? how much pain this involves ?
Basically, why mother is rejecting this therapy is, she is worrying on side effects like internal bleeding and other infections and survival rate.
if a person of this age (53) with Sugar what do you normally suggest ? to go for chemo or any other option ?
Brief Answer:
Chemotherapy is the first choice
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Chemotherapy for AML M4 can be divided into 2 phases called induction therapy and post remission therapy
The goal of induction therapy is a complete remission (CR) which means that the blood counts have returned to normal and the leukemia cannot be found in a bone marrow sample when examined under the microscope and the signs and symptoms of AML M4 are gone.
About 50% of patients older than 50 achieve a CR after treatment.
After induction therapy post remission therapy is given with a variety of different drugs that are used to destroy undetectable AML M4 cells that remain.
Chemotherapy for AML M4 attacks rapidly dividing cells including those in normal tissues such as the hair, lining of the mouth, intestines, and bone marrow.
People with AML M4 receiving chemotherapy may lose their hair, develop mouth sores or have nausea and vomiting.
Hair will regrow after treatment is finished, and effective drugs help prevent and control nausea and vomiting.
Because of the effect on normal blood cells in the bone marrow, chemotherapy used for AML will lower the body’s ability to fight infection for a short time, and increased bruising, bleeding, and fatigue may be common.
People with AML often receive antibiotics to prevent and treat infections and will need transfusions of red blood cells and platelets throughout chemotherapy.
It does not involve that much pain
Side effects can be managed by supportive therapy and sugar with insulin and my first choice of treatment in a patient with AML M4 with age 53 and sugar is chemotherapy
Those patient who develop complete response to therapy may live for more than 10 years
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread
Regards
DR DE
Chemotherapy is the first choice
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Chemotherapy for AML M4 can be divided into 2 phases called induction therapy and post remission therapy
The goal of induction therapy is a complete remission (CR) which means that the blood counts have returned to normal and the leukemia cannot be found in a bone marrow sample when examined under the microscope and the signs and symptoms of AML M4 are gone.
About 50% of patients older than 50 achieve a CR after treatment.
After induction therapy post remission therapy is given with a variety of different drugs that are used to destroy undetectable AML M4 cells that remain.
Chemotherapy for AML M4 attacks rapidly dividing cells including those in normal tissues such as the hair, lining of the mouth, intestines, and bone marrow.
People with AML M4 receiving chemotherapy may lose their hair, develop mouth sores or have nausea and vomiting.
Hair will regrow after treatment is finished, and effective drugs help prevent and control nausea and vomiting.
Because of the effect on normal blood cells in the bone marrow, chemotherapy used for AML will lower the body’s ability to fight infection for a short time, and increased bruising, bleeding, and fatigue may be common.
People with AML often receive antibiotics to prevent and treat infections and will need transfusions of red blood cells and platelets throughout chemotherapy.
It does not involve that much pain
Side effects can be managed by supportive therapy and sugar with insulin and my first choice of treatment in a patient with AML M4 with age 53 and sugar is chemotherapy
Those patient who develop complete response to therapy may live for more than 10 years
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread
Regards
DR DE
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
