Plasma Cell Leukemia Treatment

Plasma cell leukemia is an extremely aggressive condition characterized by rapid reproduction of plasma cells in the peripheral blood system. Symptoms include enlarged liver and kidney, kidney failure, fever, bone pain, and mental confusion. Due to its aggressive nature, it is very difficult to treat.

Treatment

• According to a clinical oncology article titled "Successful Treatment of Primary Plasma Cell Leukaemia by Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation from Haploidentical Sibling", conventional chemotherapy treatment and the use of steroids are not effective in treating this condition. Instead, studies have shown that aggressive chemotherapy combined with a procedure called "allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation" has improved the survival rates of several patients. Patients suffering from plasma cell leukemia should discuss this option with their oncologist

  Aggressive chemotherapy treatment is characterized as a chemotherapy treatment combined with other forms of treatment. Aggressive chemotherapy treatment carries with it the same types of side effects as conventional chemotherapy; however, these side effects are enhanced due to the aggressive nature. These side effects include nausea, weakness, fatigue, and anemia.

  Allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation involves administering progenitor cells into the patient. The progenitor cells are capable of acting in the place of the patient's normal bone marrow cells, which have been damaged by the plasma cell leukemia cells. Since the process is "allogenic," the progenitor cells must come from someone else besides the patient. This creates the risk that the patient may reject the transplant and the procedure may not work.

  In essence: this is a deadly disease. Medical professionals are working toward a cure, but as of 2009, the best form of treatment appears to be an aggressive chemotherapy regimen combined with allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.