Can acute leukemia be cured?

Jun 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My friend was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia and is very upset now; I'm really worried about her. May I ask, can acute leukemia be cured?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Acute leukemia can potentially be cured, but the difficulty of treatment and outcomes vary depending on the patient's specific circumstances. 1. Treatment methods: Include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment method, aiming to kill leukemia cells, but it may also cause damage to normal cells. Radiotherapy involves delivering high-energy radiation to localized lesions. Bone marrow transplantation reconstructs the patient's hematopoietic system by implanting healthy hematopoietic stem cells. 2. Cure rate differences: The cure rate is relatively higher for children and young patients, reaching approximately 70% to 90%. However, for older patients, especially those over the age of 60, the cure rate is lower, typically ranging from 20% to 40%. 3. Treatment specialization: Treating acute leukemia requires a high degree of expertise and technical skill. Physicians must develop individualized treatment plans based on each patient's specific condition.