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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Should Chemotherapy Be Continued For The Treatment Of Leukemia?

Hi I wanted to ask about my grandma they are telling her she is too old to get off of chemo therapy so she has to get it basically until she passes away, she has leukemia and I was wondering if that is true. She is 74 years old and I just want to see if I can take her to another doctor or if what her doctor is saying is true.
Mon, 12 Mar 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Induction of remissions is done with chemotherapy and corticosteroids. This kills all leukemia cells in blood and bone marrow and takes 4 weeks.

This is followed by chemotherapy for one week followed by recovery of bone marrow for 3 more weeks with chemotherapy/radiotherapy or stem cells to kill/replace leukemia cells by healthy cells.

Maintenance therapy is to prevent formation of new leukaemia cells by low dose of chemotherapy. In very low dosage for 3 years (while patient goes back to normal life).

So, total chemotherapy with maximum to minimum dose is for 3 years and 8 months which makes person free from the disease.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Vasudha Jayant Athavale
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How Long Should Chemotherapy Be Continued For The Treatment Of Leukemia?

Hello, Induction of remissions is done with chemotherapy and corticosteroids. This kills all leukemia cells in blood and bone marrow and takes 4 weeks. This is followed by chemotherapy for one week followed by recovery of bone marrow for 3 more weeks with chemotherapy/radiotherapy or stem cells to kill/replace leukemia cells by healthy cells. Maintenance therapy is to prevent formation of new leukaemia cells by low dose of chemotherapy. In very low dosage for 3 years (while patient goes back to normal life). So, total chemotherapy with maximum to minimum dose is for 3 years and 8 months which makes person free from the disease. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Vasudha Jayant Athavale