Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Have Been Diagnosed With Richters Syndrome After Having CLL. Have Tumours One Kidney And Pump One Lung. Weak To Start Chemo. Trying Chemo Could Kill?
My mom was just diagnosed with Richter's Syndrome after having CLL for 3 years. She kept getting sicker and sicker with CLL fluid in her lungs from enlarged lymph nodes in her chest. I had her flown by ambulatory jet to MD Anderson where they made the diagnosis. She has tumors all over one kidney (they put a tube in to bypass that) and she has a pump in one lung. They want to start chemo but she is so weak. My question is, is there anyway for her to overcome this and should she even try the chemo at this point, could it kill her?
Sat, 6 Jul 2013
Hello,
Thanks for the query to H. C. M. Forum.
After chronic leukoid leukaemia , Richter syndrome is common and there is increase in lactate dehydrogenase level with enlargement of most of lymph nodes.
Now your query is ,whether your mother will tolerate chemotherapy or not as , she is weak.
Chemotherapy tolerance is not depends upon weakness but it depends upon certain parameters as total leucocytes count, platelets count, red blood cells count, anemia.
If all these are within normal limit , they can start chemotherapy .
2nd point is treating doctors will decide the chemotherapy.
Hope I have answered your question.
I further any question I will help.
Dr. HET
Thanks for the query to H. C. M. Forum.
After chronic leukoid leukaemia , Richter syndrome is common and there is increase in lactate dehydrogenase level with enlargement of most of lymph nodes.
Now your query is ,whether your mother will tolerate chemotherapy or not as , she is weak.
Chemotherapy tolerance is not depends upon weakness but it depends upon certain parameters as total leucocytes count, platelets count, red blood cells count, anemia.
If all these are within normal limit , they can start chemotherapy .
2nd point is treating doctors will decide the chemotherapy.
Hope I have answered your question.
I further any question I will help.
Dr. HET
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Lymphadenopathy
Loading Online Doctors....