If the results of the blood tests are not normal, a doctor may do a bone marrow biopsy. During a bone marrow biopsy a needle is inserted into a bone and a small amount of the bone marrow is taken out and examined under a microscope. This test helps the doctor decide what kind of leukemia is present and plan the best treatment. The primary treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. Radiation therapy, biological therapy and bone marrow transplant may also be considered in certain cases.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Intrathecal chemotherapy is given if the leukemia cells have spread into the brain and cerebral spinal fluid or to prevent the spread of leukemic cells into the spinal fluid. There are two phases of treatment for the acute leukemias, Induction Therapy and Consolidation Therapy. The goal of induction therapy is to kill as many of the leukemia cells as possible and make patients go into remission. Once in remission, patients receive consolidation therapy that tries to kill any remaining leukemic cells. Radiation therapy is the use of high dose x-rays to kill cancer cells.