The Primary Forms of Leukemia - Essay Example

The primary forms of leukaemia include severe Lymphoblastic Leukemia, persistent Myelogenous leukaemia, persistent Lymphocytic Leukemia and severe Myelogenous Leukemia. Persistent lymphocytic cancer and severe myelogenous cancer are rampant in grown-up people while severe lymphoblastic type affects juveniles. Juvenile leukaemia may involve AML as well as ML (Myeloid leukaemia), including Chronic Myelogenous and CMML (Childhood Myelomonocytic leukaemia. Other less common types include Hairy cell leukaemia, and Acute Myelogenous subtype like APL (acute promyelocytic leukaemia).

The most effective treatment option most promising current leukaemia treatment option is an STI-571 drug, which offers exciting results and intensive hope for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia patients. Oregon Cancer Center Program for leukaemia suggests that initially Chronic or persistent Myelogenous Leukemia patients had a reduced rate of survival, about 20% or less, but with the new drug, the survival rate has increased. STI-571 drug is medication taken every day by patients, (Keene 90). It is distinct from chemotherapy because of the fact that it spares healthy cells while eliminating cancer cells. The drug targets enzymes in leukaemia cells thus, victims experience minimal side effects.