|
What is
Leukemia:
From the Greek meaning "white
blood". Leukemia is a cancer of a marrow cell. The term refers to a group of
closely related malignant conditions affecting the immature blood-forming cells
in the bone marrow. so is that certain cells in the body become abnormal.
Another is that the body keeps producing large numbers of white cells.
Click here to read
more...
Leukemia during pregnancy:
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues
in which millions of abnormal white blood cells crowd out normal ones. The
occurrence of leukemia during pregnancy is very rare with an estimated incidence
of one per 100,000 pregnancies annually.
Click here to read
more...
Complementary and
Alternative Therapies for Leukemia:
 A comprehensive treatment plan for leukemia may include a range of
complementary and alternative therapies.
Standard medical treatment for leukemia usually involves either chemotherapy,
radiation therapy or both. There is no evidence that anything but current
medically approved standard therapy can stem the progression of or cure these
cancers. Therefore, standard therapy should not be replaced by any unproven
remedy.
Click here to read
more...
Featured
Leukemia Programs:
Featured Articles with Videos:
|
◊ |
What is Chronic Myeloid
Leukemia? |
|
|
|
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a slowly
progressing cancer that affects the body’s white blood cells. Though
considered rare, 6,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. What do we
know about this disease? Join expert Dr. Hagop Kantarjian of the M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center to learn the basics of CML. Topics will include:
-
What is the "Philadelphia Chromosome"?
What is its role in CML?
-
What are the three phases of CML? How
are they defined?
-
What are the symptoms of CML? How do
they change over time?
-
How is CML diagnosed?
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Genetic Tests For CML: What Does it Say About
Long-Term Survival? |
|
|
|
Monitoring the success of medical therapy
for chronic myeloid leukemia depends, in part, on laboratory tests that
measure the number of cancerous cells carrying a defective gene. Listen
in as one man waits to hear his test results and what it might mean for
his long-term survival.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Tracking Treatment Progress: Lab Tests For CML |
|
|
|
Tracking faulty chromosomes is routine for
people with chronic myeloid leukemia. Listen as experts explain why
sophisticated laboratory tests that count chromosomes are important in
determining how well a patient is responding to therapy.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Learning The Language of CML Lab Tests |
|
|
|
Blood tests are routine in the treatment
of chronic myeloid leukemia. Hear how one patient learned how to follow
her treatment progress by studying her complicated lab tests.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Treatment of CML: State of the Art and Beyond |
|
|
|
Many effective therapies are available for
chronic myeloid leukemia. And research is pointing the way toward
treatments that may bring even better results. Listen as experts
describe the state-of-the art in CML treatment and laboratory tests.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
How is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated? |
|
|
|
Though Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
progresses slowly compared to many other cancers, this does not make it
any less serious -- or easier to treat. What are the current treatment
options? Join expert oncologist Dr. Hagop Kantarjian of the M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center for a survey of the available treatments. Topics
will include:
-
How successful are traditional
treatments like hydroxyurea and busulfan?
-
How did the introduction of interferon
therapy improve treatment outcomes?
-
What are the pros and cons of Bone
Marrow Transplantation?
-
How will the discovery of Gleevec
(STI-571) change the treatment of CML?
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Choosing an Initial Treatment for CML |
|
|
|
First comes the initial shock of
diagnosis. Then patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) hear what
usually comes as encouraging news: CML is one of the most treatable
forms of cancer. Usually, there is success in fighting early symptoms
but plotting a long-term strategy against CML is more difficult.
However, new drugs are offering patients hope they may lead long and
comfortable lives. Tune in as doctors discuss the factors in choosing an
initial therapy.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
CML Medication: What's The Right Approach? |
|
|
|
The Food and Drug Administration has used
a fast-track system to approve drugs that are superior to existing
treatments, so that patients with life-threatening illnesses gain access
to treatments sooner. One of these drugs was Gleevec, a treatment for
chronic myeloid leukemia. Now that doctors have gained more experience
with this novel medication they have an opportunity to fine-tune
treatment.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
Related Fast Facts
Fast Fact: What might the future of CML
treatment look like?
|
|
|
◊ |
Facts to Know While Undergoing Therapy for CML |
|
|
|
In treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML),
doctors admit: they don't have all the answers. So patients must learn
enough about CML to help make good treatment decisions. That means
understanding the natural course of the disease and how his or her own
body responds to therapy. Tune in as doctors describe what CML patients
need to know.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Managing CML: Dealing With Drug Resistance |
|
|
|
The approval of Gleevec (imatinib) in 2001
changed the future for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). CML
is now one of the most treatable forms of cancer. In some patients,
however, their disease becomes resistant to the treatment. Listen to the
story of how one patient, along with her oncologist, Dr. Hagop
Kantarjian of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, managed her CML.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
Related Fast Facts
Fast Fact: What is a blast crisis?
|
|
|
◊ |
Combination Therapies for CML (ASCO 2001) |
|
|
|
The success of Gleevec in treating Chronic
Myeloid Leukemia has captured the attention of patients and doctors
alike. At the recent meeting of the American Society of Hematology,
several researchers presented data showing how combinations of Gleevec
with other treatments may bring even better results. Join us as we talk
to some of these experts about their findings.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
CML Treatment: Medication or Transplantation? |
|
|
|
Mounting evidence from clinical trials
shows that patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) may have
long-term treatment success forgoing the only known cure for their
disease. Watch and listen as CML experts explain how a promising drug
now complicates the decision facing many patients-whether to seek a bone
marrow transplant.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Doctor and Patient Teamwork: Management of CML |
|
|
|
For patients with chronic myeloid
leukemia, establishing a close relationship with their doctor is very
important. With new treatment options available patients and doctors
need to be able to communicate freely and be aware of the latest
research developments. Find out how CML patients and the doctors who
treat them, can work together to treat this disease.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Gleevec for Newly-Diagnosed CML Patients (ASCO
2001) |
|
|
|
After proving successful in the treatment
chronic myelogenous leukemia, Gleevec was FDA approved in May 2001. But
that doesn't mean researchers have slowed down their investigation of
the drugs effects, and specialists at this year's annual American
Society of Hematology meeting had plenty of news to talk about. Tune in
as experts from the conference discuss the latest study results.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Management of CML in the New Millennium (ASCO
2001) |
|
|
|
Gleevec, approved last year for the
treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, is part of a new class of drugs
that offer more targeted approaches to cancer therapy. These drugs are
an important part of oncology's cutting edge, and researchers at the
recent American Society of Hematology meeting were busy discussing how
Gleevec and similar drugs will impact the future of CML treatment. Join
Dr. Brian Druker and Dr. Charles Schiffer, who were involved in the
early development of Gleevec, as they share their unique perspectives.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Leukemia Left Behind: A CML Patient Tells His
Story |
|
|
|
After a routine physical, two months after
the birth of his first son, John Nesbitt was diagnosed with CML --
chronic myelogenous leukemia, a disease which affects the body’s white
blood cells. That was in 1998 -- he's come a long way since then. Tune
in as he shares his dramatic and inspiring story.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Gleevec for CML: Is It Right For You? |
|
|
|
The treatment of chronic myelogenous
leukemia or CML has greatly improved over the years. One of the most
recent options is a drug called Gleevec, which has shown promising
results in many patients with CML. But is Gleevec for everyone? How does
a doctor decide when to prescribe it? Tune in as Dr. Charles Schiffer
and Mike Benninger, one of his patients talk about CML treatment
decisions, and their experiences with Gleevec.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Elderly CML Patients: Unique Healthcare Issues |
|
|
|
When chronic myeloid leukemia is diagnosed
in older people, other medical problems are likely present. Listen to
the story of one patient hit with a second round of difficult news just
as she was recovering from another life-threatening disease.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
CML After Age 65: What are the Treatment Options? |
|
|
|
Some treatment options are not available
for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia when they are over 65 years
old. But most can still look forward to a range of effective medical
therapies and a good quality of life. Listen to one man's success story.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
The Faulty Gene Behind Chronic Myeloid Leukemia |
|
|
|
The genetics of chronic myeloid leukemia
are now well understood. Listen to researchers as they explain the path
they took to their remarkable discoveries beginning over 40 years ago,
in a research lab in Philadelphia.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
(CLL)
Targeted Therapies:
|
◊ |
Long-Term Experience with
Gleevec: What Do We Know? |
|
|
|
Headline writers have called it a "miracle
drug." But what are the facts behind the hype for a new drug used to
fight chronic myeloid leukemia? Listen as cancer experts describe both
the results of clinical trials and the experience of patients.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
The Future of Targeted
Cancer Therapy |
|
|
|
In recent years, targeted therapies have
become increasingly successful in the treatment of various cancers, and
new studies have found that therapies designed for one cancer can
sometimes be used to treat another. Join Dr. Charles Sawyers and Dr.
Oliver Press as they discuss the latest groundbreaking discoveries, and
future directions for targeted cancer therapies.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
The Success of Targeted
Cancer Therapies |
|
|
|
Medications that that can target cancer
cells without harming the rest of the body have become an important part
of oncology's cutting edge. They've been around for several years, but
recent advances are generating a lot excitement among patients and
doctors alike. Join us as we talk to leading experts about these
state-of-the-art treatments.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Resistance to Gleevec: How
Common Is It? |
|
|
|
Since last year's approval of Gleevec for
the treatment of CML, the drug has shown impressive results. But as with
many cancer medications, researchers are concerned about patients
developing a resistance to the drug. Join our specialists as they share
the latest reports on resistance from the recent American Society of
Hematology annual meeting.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Practical Issues in the
Use of Gleevec |
|
|
|
The use of Gleevec for the treatment of
CML is a relatively new strategy, and most doctors have little practical
experience with the drug. Still, some recommendations have been
developed, and it's important for patients to be aware of them if
they're taking Gleevec, or considering it. Join Dr. Charles Schiffer,
who was involved in early Gleevec studies, and Mike Benninger, his
patient, as they discuss some of these practical concerns.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Gleevec: Understanding the
Side Effects |
|
|
|
One of the major advantages of Gleevec
therapy for the treatment of CML is that its side effects are minimal
when compared to standard therapies. But minimal side effects are still
side effects, and it's important to be aware of them and how to control
them if you're planning on taking the drug. Join Dr. Charles Sawyers and
Judy Orem, a patient taking Gleevec for CML, as they discuss the
potential side effects of Gleevec and their experiences managing them.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Side Effects of CML
Therapy: What Can Be Done? |
|
|
|
Gleevec, a treatment for chronic myeloid
leukemia, is the model of targeted therapy. However, even "targeted"
therapy is not without side effects. Some, like low blood counts, are
serious. Hear how one patient, along with her oncologist, Dr. Neil Shah
of UCLA, managed the side effects of her CML treatment.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
Related Fast Facts
Fast Fact: Is a cure necessary for CML?
|
|
|
◊ |
Will Gleevec Be Effective
in the Long-Term? |
|
|
|
The drug Gleevec, recently approved for
the treatment of CML, has amazed patients and doctors by turning many
severe cases into healthy survivors in a relativity short time. But with
cancer, what really matters are the long-term effects of a drug. Join
Dr. Charles Sawyers and Judy Orem, a patient with CML as they discuss
the prospects of Gleevec as a lifetime treatment for CML.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
The Discovery of Gleevec:
Interview With the Drug Developer |
|
|
|
The treatment of CML made headlines this
year with the discovery of a new drug called STI-571, or Gleevec. Part
of the excitement is fueled by the fact that the drug is among the first
in a new class of drugs called "signal transduction inhibitors", which
attack cancer cells in a new way. What is this drug, and how was it
discovered? Join us as we talk to Dr. Brian Druker, who played a key
role in the discovery of STI-571.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
How Gleevec Works: CML and
Possible Role in other Cancers |
|
|
|
In the field of cancer research, the
discovery of a new kind of medication often captivates the public's
attention. Gleevec (STI-571) is such a drug; recently developed to treat
CML, it has people talking about a revolution in cancer therapy. How is
this drug different from its predecessors? How might it be applied to
other cancers? And most importantly, how effective is it in the
treatment of CML? Join us as we talk to Dr. Brian J. Druker, the
principal researcher behind Gleevec.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Gleevec for CML (ASCO
2001) |
|
|
|
With its recent FDA approval, STI-571 was
a hot topic at this year's meeting of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology. Designed specifically for chronic myeloid leukemia, it takes a
novel, targeted approach to killing cancer cells. But though it has been
approved, it is still under investigation. We talked to leading experts
at the ASCO meeting to get the most up-to-date information.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Combining Gleevec with
Other Drugs (ASCO 2001) |
|
|
|
At the meeting of the American Society of
Clinical Oncology this week, a new drug called STI-571, or Gleevec, was
in the spotlight. Designed to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, it's been
shown to be highly effective on its own. But current studies are hoping
to discover even better results by combining Gleevec with older
treatments. Join us as we discuss the newest information with leading
experts.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
|
◊ |
Can Gleevec be Used for
Other Cancers?: Focus on GIST (ASCO 2001) |
|
|
|
At this year's meeting of the American
Society of Clinical Oncology, the talk of the town was a new drug called
STI-571, or Gleevec. In one of the fastest approvals in U.S. history, it
was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic myeloid
leukemia. But this drug may have other applications, including the
treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Tune in as we talk to the
experts about the latest findings.
Watch Video
Read Transcript |
|
Immunotherapy
|
◊ |
How Immunotherapy Works |
|
|
|
Traditional cancer therapies like
chemotherapy and radiation therapy are notorious for their severe side
effects. Newer "immunotherapies," which target cancer cells and leave
other cells alone, are more tolerable. But how effective are they? Tune
in to learn the latest on this developing treatment strategy.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
Leukemia and Children
|
◊ |
Will Children With
Leukemia Benefit From Gleevec? (ASCO 2001) |
|
|
|
At the annual meeting of the American
Society of Clinical Oncology this week, there was a lot of talk about a
leukemia drug called STI-571 or Gleevec. It's been FDA approved, but the
important studies have looked only at adult patients with chronic
myeloid leukemia. Researchers have only just started to look at the
effects of this drug on children, who can also be affected by CML. Join
our panel as they discuss the most recent data.
Watch Video
Read Transcript
|
|
Coping with Leukemia
More Featured Articles:
|
