This article has been compiled by Chris Woollams from worldwide research and expert sources*
CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKAEMIA (CML)
This must be read in conjunction with the whole of our general article on Leukaemia.
The CANCERactive Difference: Intelligent Information. Independent Voice. On this web site you will find more information about more treatment options (Complementary and Alternative, not just Orthodox), and on more ’possible contributory factors’ to the development and maintenance of your cancer, than on any other UK cancer web site. Some experts believe that approaching your cancer in this ’total’ way can increase an individual’s chances of survival by as much as 60 per cent.
The very latest research evidence from all over the world in our news section Cancer Watch supports all this.
We can do this because we are not hide-bound by vested interests, and so we can always put people first. We are not influenced by companies who seek to make financial gains from patients, we have no trustees working for, or sponsored directly or indirectly by such companies, our directors take no remuneration at all. This is our true independence, from which you benefit directly.
But this comes at a price – we rely on you, and people like you to support our work. 47,703 people visited our site in March 2007, viewing 11 pages on average. Every month we add 20 new pages to this site. If you feel an independent voice is essential in cancer, please, please help by making a donation. Every little helps.  |
TREATMENTS
This cancer represents a real medical challenge.
Want to receive the very latest, hot information on this subject? Click here
Commonly Chemotherapy is used and may be divided into three areas
Chemotherapy, which improves quality of life but does not improve survival. Drugs such as hydroxyurea (Hydrea®) and busulfan (Myleran®) can normalise the blood count for a period of time, but they do not increase survival.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors:
a) Gleevec (Imatinib mesylate): this is used as initial treatment for certain types CM and blocks an enzyme called tyrosine kinase which causes stem cells to develop into white blood cells. The aim is to prevent rogue cell growth without damaging normal healthy cells. Gleevec has already shown problems with heart and liver side effects.
b) Dasatinib is an FDA approved oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (Brand name Sprycel)
Cytoxic Chemotherapy to kill cells in patients with advanced CML. Where symptoms similar to those of AML appear there may be treatment with daunorubicin and cytarabine. Where symptoms similar to ALL appear (for example those with lymphoid transformation) the use of vincristine, prednisone and daunorubicin may be considered. New drugs such as homoherringtonine with interferon-alpha (INF-a), paclitaxel (Taxol®), QS21 (a plant extract that heightens immune responses), and amifostin (a chemical that lessens some side effects of chemotherapy) are being considered.
Other developments
There are clinical trials currently investigating vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and even hormones like growth factors and interleukins. The future holds many possibilities.
Stem Cell transplants are in their infancy in the UK as a treatment option. The stem cells may come from a family member (an allogeneic transplant) or may be your own (an autologous transplant) which were collected and frozen until you need them. Stem cell transplants are increasingly used in the USA where higher dose chemotherapy is required, or to replace mutated white cells.
Interferon: About 20% to 30% of patients taking interferon show elimination of the abnormal chromosome and improved survival. Recent findings also suggest that low-dose cytarabine (ara-C), in combination with interferon, may be more beneficial than interferon alone. We can tell you more about Interferon, and we have a diary from a user in Living Proof so you can read first hand about experiences, and the ups and downs of using the drug in real life.
Support Therapies: Antibiotics, blood transfusions and even antibody infusions may be given
Other: All readers should read the General article on Leukaemia and note the pieces on Beneficial Bacteria, Can Candida Cause Cancer? and the use of helpful supplements like vitamin D, vitamin K and herbs like Astragalus, Echinacea and Goldenseal.
Building an Integrated Therapy Programme
Leukaemia is a whole-body disease and demands a whole body solution. There is no doubt that the Orthodox therapies do have their limitations, and no one is making any greater claims for 
Complementary or Alternative Therapies. What is important in Leukaemia is to build a programme of therapies that can give you the best chance of survival – the programme that can increase your personal odds of beating this disease in your own way.
In the main Leukaemia section – click the box on the left of this page – you will find a thorough overview listing:
Information on the possible factors that might be maintaining your cancer so you can avoid them
Information on diets and supplements
Information on building beneficial bacteria and controlling yeasts and fungal infections that are so common with leukaemia
Information on diet therapies
Information on complementary therapies from acupuncture to massage and Reike.
Information on Alternative Therapies
Information on orthodox therapies and drugs
There is so much you can do to avoid being yet another statistic. Please try to create a personal programme – some experts believe it can increase survival by up to 60 per cent.
More Information on More Therapies
On this web site you will find more information about more treatment options (Complementary and Alternative, not just Orthodox), and on more ’possible contributory factors’ to the development and maintenance of your cancer, than on any other UK cancer web site. Some experts believe that approaching your cancer in this ’total’ way can increase an individual’s chances of survival by as much as 60 per cent.
This is all supported by the very latest research evidence from all over the world in our news section Cancer Watch.
We can do this because we are not hide-bound by vested interests, and so we can always put people first. We are not influenced by companies who seek to make financial gains from patients, we have no trustees working for, or sponsored directly or indirectly by such companies, our directors take no remuneration at all. This is our true independence, from which you benefit directly.
But this independence comes at a price: We can only rely on you, and people like you, to support our work. 47,703 people visited our site in March 2007, viewing 11 pages on average. Every month we add 20 new pages to this site. The letters and e-mails of gratitude and praise tell us we really do make a difference.
If you feel an independent voice is essential in cancer, please, please help by making a donation. Every little helps.
Confused by it all??
Well, we’re only trying to help you beat this disease. If you would like to have a Personal Prescription prepared for you, then click here. It will help you obtain the best information for your personal needs and particular cancer, and thus to make more informed choices and increase your chances of survival.
There is so much you can do to increase your chances of beating this disease. We simply want to help.
Please start now. Fill in our form (Click here) or ring our Information Hotline on 01280 821211.
The CANCERactive Difference: Intelligent Information. Independent Voice.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
*Cancer (and its related illnesses) are very serious and very individual diseases. Readers must always consult directly with experts and specialists in the appropriate medical field before taking, or refraining from taking, any specific action.
This web site is intended to provide research-based information on cancer and its possible causes and therapies, so that you can make more informed decisions in consultation with those experts. Although our information comes from expert sources, and is most usually provided by Professors, scientists and Doctors, our easy-to-understand, jargon-free approach necessitates that journalists, not doctors, write the copy. For this reason, whilst the authors, management and staff of CANCERactive, icon, and Health Issues have made every effort to ensure its accuracy, we assume no responsibility for any error, any omission or any consequences of an error or omission. Readers must consult directly with their personal specialists and advisors, and we cannot be held responsible for any action, or inaction, taken by readers as a result of information contained on this web site, or in any of our publications. Any action taken or refrained from by a reader is taken entirely at the reader’s own instigation and, thus, own risk. |