Leukemia
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Leukemia treatment is designed to stop the growth of cancerous cells in the bone marrow or blood. Depending on the type and stage of leukemia, several procedures and therapies may be recommended, either alone or in combination. Here are the most common treatment approaches:
- Chemotherapy: The cornerstone of leukemia treatment, chemotherapy involves using drugs to destroy leukemia cells. The drugs can be administered orally or intravenously and are usually given in cycles to allow the body time to recover between treatments. Different combinations of drugs are used based on the leukemia type (e.g., acute or chronic) and the patient’s overall health.
- Radiation Therapy: For some patients, radiation therapy may be necessary to target leukemia cells that have spread to the brain or central nervous system. High-energy radiation beams are directed at the affected areas to kill cancer cells. Radiation can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy or before a bone marrow transplant to suppress the immune system.
- Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT): Also known as stem cell transplant, this procedure replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells, which can regenerate into new, healthy blood cells. This is often considered for patients whose leukemia has not responded to chemotherapy alone. It can either be an autologous transplant (using the patient’s stem cells) or an allogeneic transplant (using stem cells from a donor).
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted drugs aim at specific molecules or pathways essential for the survival and growth of leukemia cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapies are more precise and often have fewer side effects. One well-known example is tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in chronic myeloid leukemia.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the body’s immune system to better fight the leukemia cells. CAR-T cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy, has shown remarkable success in certain types of leukemia. It involves modifying a patient's T-cells to attack the cancer cells.
Procedure Duration
The duration of leukemia treatment varies significantly based on the type of leukemia, treatment approach, and the patient’s response to therapy. Here is a general breakdown of treatment phases and recovery:
- Induction Therapy: This is often the first phase in treating acute leukemia and lasts between four and six weeks. The goal is to kill as many leukemia cells as possible to induce remission. Hospital stays may be required due to the intensity of treatment and the need for close monitoring.
- Consolidation/Intensification Therapy: After achieving remission, patients undergo additional chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant to prevent relapse. This phase can last several months. In the case of a bone marrow transplant, patients often need to remain in the hospital for up to several weeks post-transplant to ensure the new cells engraft properly.
- Maintenance Therapy: Some leukemia types, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), may require low-dose chemotherapy for up to two to three years to ensure that the cancer does not return. For chronic forms of leukemia, maintenance therapy may involve continuous, lower-intensity treatments, which are administered on an outpatient basis.
- Recovery Period: Recovery from leukemia treatments depends on the intensity of the therapy. For example, recovery from chemotherapy may take a few weeks, while recovering from a bone marrow transplant can take several months. Patients will need regular follow-up visits, blood tests, and scans to monitor for signs of relapse or complications from the treatments.
Benefits
- Targeted Treatment Options: Advances in precision medicine offer therapies like CAR-T and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which target cancer cells more effectively.
- Long-Term Remission: With proper treatment, many patients achieve remission, significantly improving their life expectancy and quality of life.
- Customizable Treatment Plans: Different types of leukemia require tailored approaches, from chemotherapy combinations to innovative stem cell therapies.
- Access to Cutting-Edge Technology: Medical tourists often gain access to the latest medical advancements, such as immunotherapies and clinical trials.
- Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Care: Patients benefit from the expertise of oncologists, hematologists, radiologists, and other specialists, ensuring holistic treatment.
Potential Destinations
- Germany: Known for its cutting-edge research and well-established leukemia treatment protocols, Germany offers state-of-the-art therapies. The country's advanced healthcare infrastructure, along with top-notch cancer centers, makes it a prime destination for patients seeking leukemia treatment abroad.
- India: Offering world-class care at significantly lower costs, India has become a leading destination for medical tourists. Many of its oncology centers are internationally accredited, and they provide comprehensive leukemia care, including bone marrow transplants.
- Turkey: Turkey’s medical tourism sector is rapidly growing, particularly in the field of oncology. Leukemia treatment facilities in Turkey are equipped with modern technology, and patients benefit from highly experienced medical teams. The country is especially well-known for its affordability without compromising on quality.
- United States: Home to some of the most renowned cancer research institutions globally, the U.S. is a leader in innovative leukemia treatments. Patients here often have access to the latest clinical trials, immunotherapies, and stem cell transplant procedures.
- Singapore: Singapore boasts a highly developed healthcare system with advanced cancer care capabilities. Its hospitals are known for delivering personalized care, often integrating the latest in biomedical research and therapies to treat leukemia.
Risks & Considerations
- Infection Risk: Treatments like chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants weaken the immune system, leaving patients more susceptible to infections.
- Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD): This is a common complication following allogeneic bone marrow transplants, where the donor cells attack the patient’s body.
- Long-Term Side Effects: Chemotherapy and radiation can lead to long-term health issues such as heart problems, fertility issues, or secondary cancers.
- Relapse: Despite initial remission, there is always a risk of leukemia returning, which may require additional or more aggressive treatments.
- Emotional and Psychological Impact: The intensity and duration of treatment can lead to anxiety, depression, or other psychological challenges that require ongoing support.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
When selecting a doctor and hospital for leukemia treatment, consider the following:
- Specialization and Expertise: It is crucial to choose a doctor who specializes in hematology or oncology with a proven track record of treating leukemia. Look for professionals with experience in managing the specific type of leukemia you have and ask about the range of treatments they offer.
- Comprehensive Cancer Centers: Seek out hospitals or treatment centers that are well-known for their cancer care programs. Institutions with specialized leukemia programs often have access to advanced technologies, clinical trials, and a multidisciplinary team approach, all of which contribute to better outcomes.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
Orthopedics Stem Cell
Knee
Research on mesenchymal stem cells regenerative properties in knee osteoarthritis. In these studies, researchers suggest that Stem Cell Therapy has the potential to regenerate lost cartilage, stop and reverse cartilage degeneration, provide pain relief, and improve patient mobility.
Shoulder
Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Replacement Surgery. Stem cell therapy may offer an excellent alternative for patients looking to avoid shoulder joint replacement surgery, as well as many other surgical treatments for shoulder pain.
Ankle
If you suffer from chronic or acute ankle pain or instability due to arthritis, cartilage loss, ligament strain or tear, or tendon damage, then you may benefit from non-surgical stem cell treatments or stem cell-enhanced surgery.
Back Pain
Patients now have a minimally invasive option. Stem cell therapy for back pain and disc herniations can potentially repair the damaged disc or facet joint, restore function, rehydrate the disc, and ultimately alleviate chronic pain.
Anti-Aging Stem Cell
Hair Loss
Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy have been shown to be most effective for: Those in the early stages of hair loss, patients who are not viable candidates for surgery and women who prefer to avoid hair surgery.
Facial Anti-Aging
Aesthetic Anti-Aging. The Aesthetic Stem Cell Localized Treatment is a non-surgical minimally invasive procedure to enhance the appearance of aging skin and hair restoration. This all-natural technique combines dermal injections of bone marrow or adipose tissue derived stem cells and growth factors.
Fertility Stem Cell
Endometrial PRP
The stem cells used for treatment of a thin endometrium include mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, successful repair of the endometrium in pregnancy with stem cells has been reported previously.
Low Ovarian Reserve (PRP)
The treatment uses PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma), which with stem cell therapy is the novel therapeutic approach for restoring the quality of the ovarian reserve.Your PRP will contain a physiologic balance of platelets, growth factors and white blood cells tailored specifically for you.
Punta Mita Hospital
Mexico
Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
Mexico
