Health Tips

Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials. These are research studies in which people take part voluntarily. Studies include new methods of treatment and supportive care for patients with leukemia. Research already has led to advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective approaches.

Patients who join these studies have the first chance to benefit from treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks, researchers take very careful steps to protect their patients.

Researchers are testing new biological therapies and new anticancer drugs, doses, and treatment schedules. They also are working with various drugs and with combinations of drugs, biological therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation.

Patients who are interested in being part of a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. They may want to read the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. It explains how clinical trials are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. NCI's Web site includes a section on clinical trials at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. This section of the Web site provides general information about clinical trials. It also offers detailed information about ongoing studies of leukemia treatment. The Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions and provide information about clinical trials.

What resources are available to patients with leukemia?

National Cancer Institute booklets

National Cancer Institute (NCI) publications can be ordered by writing to the address below, and some can be viewed and downloaded from http://cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.

Publications Ordering Service
National Cancer Institute
Suite 3036A
6116 Executive Boulevard, MSC 8322
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322

In addition, people in the United States and its territories may order these and other NCI booklets by calling the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER. They may also order many NCI publications on-line at http://cancer.gov/publications.

National Cancer Institute information resources

You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.

Telephone

Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their families, health professionals, and the general public. Information specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.

Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing callers): 1-800-332-8615

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation

Candlelighters is a national organization of parents whose children have or have had cancer. It operates a patient information service and publishes newsletters and other materials for parents and young people. Local chapters sponsor family support groups. The national office, at 1-800-366-CCCF (1-800-366-2223), can supply the telephone numbers of local chapters.

Leukemia Society of America (LSA)

The Leukemia Society of America supports cancer research and provides information and financial help to patients with leukemia. It also offers support groups for patients and their families and provides referrals to other sources of help in the community. Publications are available by calling 1-800-955-4LSA (1-800-955-4572) toll free. For information about services offered in local areas, call the number listed under Leukemia Society of America in the white pages of the telephone book.

Leukemia At A Glance

• Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells.
• While the exact cause(s) of leukemia is not known, risk factors have been identified.
• Leukemias are grouped by how quickly the disease develops (acute or chronic) as well as by the type of blood cell that is affected.
• People with leukemia are at significantly increased risk for developing infections, anemia, and bleeding.
• Diagnosis of leukemia is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, and examining blood under a microscope. Leukemia cells can also be detected and further classified with a bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy.
• Treatment of leukemia depends on the type of leukemia, certain features of the leukemia cells, the extent of the disease, and prior history of treatment, as well as the age and health of the patient.
• Most patients with leukemia are treated with chemotherapy. Some patients also may have radiation therapy and/or bone marrow transplantation