100 Questions and Answers about Leukemia

by Ball, Edward D.

• ISBN13: 9780763720384
• ISBN10: 0763720380
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-01
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett

Summary

Whether you're a newly diagnosed leukemia patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. The only text to provide the doctor and patient's view, 100 Questions & Answers

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Preface	ix
Part 1: The Basics	1	(10)
Questions 1--5 give the basic background information about blood, the immune system, and other cells involved in leukemia
What is leukemia?
What is blood composed of, and what blood cells are affected by leukemia?
What is bone marrow?
Part 2: Facts About Leukemia: Risks, Diagnosis, and Effects	11	(24)
Questions 6--19 describe the different kinds of leukemia that exist: what they are, who gets them, how they affect the body, and how they are diagnosed:
Are there different types of leukemia? Why is one called acute and one called chronic?
How common is leukemia?
How do you know you have leukemia?
What is neutropenia?
Part 3: Treatment	35	(16)
Questions 20--31 describe the different methods of treating each form of leukemia:
What is chemotherapy?
What is gene therapy?
What is anti-sense therapy?
What is a monoclonal antibody?
What is immunotherapy?
What is a clinical trial?
Part 4: Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation	51	(16)
Questions 32--49 describe the process of transplantation used to cure some forms of leukemia:
What is a stem cell transplant?
What is the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplants?
How is it determined which one is appropriate for my care?
How long after diagnosis should the transplant take place?
What are immunosuppressive drugs and who is likely to need them?
Part 5: Side Effects and Complications of Treatment	67	(16)
Questions 50--68 describe some of the side effects and complications of leukemia treatment:
Will I need blood transfusions?
What side effects might a patient experience with chemotherapy?
What types of infections do I need to be concerned about?
Part 6: Treatment Facilities and Healthcare Providers	83	(24)
Questions 69--87 describe some of the considerations in deciding upon where to get treatment and who to turn to for care:
Are doctors always right?
Do all hospitals perform all treatments?
Do caregivers get any training?
Can and should family members be caregivers?
Part 7: Living with Leukemia	107	(12)
Questions 88--100 address some of the day-to-day issues that face leukemia patients and their loved ones:
How do you know if you are cured?
Will my child with leukemia grow up normally?
What are the patient's physical limitations after a bone marrow transplant?
What is the chance of the leukemia coming back?
Where can I get more information about leukemia?
Appendix	119	(4)
Glossary	123	(8)
Index	131