After the diagnosis of acute leukemia relapse, common treatments include general treatment and anti-leukemia treatment, such as blood transfusion therapy, chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and other treatments. The most appropriate treatment needs to be chosen according to the different conditions of patients.
General treatment is designed to alleviate the urgent clinical symptoms of acute leukemia such as hyperleukocytemia, susceptibility to infection, and hyperuricemia. A blood cell separator may be used, along with hydrotherapy and chemotherapy; admission to a laminar flow unit reduces the risk of infection.
For hyperuricemia, which may be caused by massive destruction of leukemic cells, patients are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and are given intravenous rehydration to avoid hyperuricemic nephropathy.
Anti-leukemia treatment is to kill tumor cells in the peripheral blood mainly through the action of drugs in order to relieve patients’ leukemia symptoms. Different types of leukemia are treated with different drugs.
For example, for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, vincristine and prednisone are generally available; for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, norethindrone is commonly used. Under the guidance of the doctor, regular use of medication and timely review should be carried out. If necessary, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is feasible.
It is recommended that patients with relapse of acute leukemia should go to the hospital in time to get a clear diagnosis and actively cooperate with the doctor for treatment.