Leukemia is a type of blood cancer characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal blood cells. This uncontrolled growth occurs in the bone marrow, where most of the body’s blood is produced. Leukemia can be fatal, especially if not detected early and left untreated. The question is, can leukemia be cured?
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Can Leukemia Be Cured?
Like other types of cancer, there is currently no medication that can completely cure leukemia. People with leukemia can achieve remission—a state after diagnosis and treatment where the cancer is no longer detectable in the body. However, leukemia can recur because cancer cells may still remain in the patient’s body.
Although there is no cure for leukemia, there are various treatment methods available to help prevent the cancer from returning.
The success of leukemia treatment depends on several factors. Treatment options include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
- Stem cell transplantation
- Antibiotic medications
Treatment may last for several months or even years, depending on the type and severity of the condition.
Leukemia Treatment at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri has a Blood Cancer Center that offers various types of leukemia treatments.
These treatments aim to improve patients’ quality of life, reduce symptoms of blood cancer, and prevent recurrence.
Here are several leukemia treatments offered at Mandaya’s Blood Cancer Center:
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for leukemia. It uses chemical agents to kill leukemia cells.
Depending on the type of leukemia, patients may receive a single medication or a combination of drugs. These medications can be taken orally or administered directly into the bloodstream.
Mandaya Puri is equipped with special chemotherapy rooms designed to treat blood cancer patients from early to advanced stages.
2. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy treats leukemia by focusing on specific abnormalities within cancer cells. By blocking these abnormalities, targeted therapy can cause cancer cells to die.
3. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) uses X-rays or other high-energy beams to damage leukemia cells and stop their growth. During the procedure, the patient lies on a table while the radiation machine moves around them, directing the beams at specific parts of the body.
Mandaya Puri uses the Linac Elekta Versa HD radiotherapy machine—one of the best in its class—equipped with an entertainment system that allows patients to watch videos or listen to music during treatment.
4. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy utilizes the immune system to fight cancer. A patient’s immune system may not attack cancer because the cancer cells produce proteins that help them “hide” from immune cells.
Immunotherapy enables the immune system to detect and fight cancer cells. To support immunotherapy, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri has also provided ICIR/PICIR (Immuno Compromised Isolation Rooms), which are sterile isolation rooms designed to prevent patient infection.
5. Apheresis
One of the advantages of Mandaya’s Blood Cancer Center is the availability of apheresis procedures. Apheresis is a technique where doctors can remove or separate red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, or plasma for medical treatment.
In leukemia cases, apheresis is performed to lower an excessively high white blood cell count (leukapheresis). In this procedure, the patient’s blood is drawn, and its components are separated.
The doctor then removes or modifies excess white blood cells to relieve symptoms experienced by the patient.
Collaboration with Singapore’s NCIS-NUH
Leukemia and other blood cancer cases treated at Mandaya Puri are discussed directly with the NCIS-NUH Singapore team. The collaboration helps determine the patient’s diagnosis, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and choose the most appropriate therapy.
This partnership allows patients to receive a second opinion, which can help patients and their families make better-informed decisions about treatment options.
Mandaya Puri Blood Cancer Center Medical Team
Mandaya Puri’s Blood Cancer Center is staffed with experienced specialists, including:
- Dr. Toman T.J Lumban Toruan, Sp.PD-KHOM
- Dr. Alvin Tagor Harahap, Sp.PD-KHOM
- Prof. Dr. Aru W. Sudoyo, Sp.PD-KHOM, FINASIM, FACP
These highly experienced doctors can recommend the most appropriate blood cancer treatment tailored to each patient’s condition.
1. Prof. Dr. Aru W. Sudoyo, Sp.PD-KHOM, FINASIM, FACP
Consultant in Internal Medicine and Medical Hemato-Oncology, available at RS Mandaya Puri:
- Wednesday: 09:00 – 12:00 WIB
2. Dr. Toman T.J Lumban Toruan, Sp.PD-KHOM
Specialist in Internal Medicine, subspecializing in Hematology-Oncology, available at RS Mandaya Puri:
- Tuesday: 12:00 – 15:00 WIB
- Thursday: 12:00 – 15:00 WIB
3. Dr. Alvin Tagor Harahap, Sp.PD-KHOM
Specialist in Internal Medicine, subspecializing in Hematology-Oncology, available at RS Mandaya Puri:
- Wednesday: 18:00 – 20:00 WIB
- Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00 WIB
To consult with Mandaya’s Blood Cancer Center medical team, you can visit Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri directly. Use the WhatsApp Chat, Book Appointment feature, or the Care Dokter app available on Google Play and App Store for easier access, to check queue numbers, and to get more detailed information.
