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Preparing for Treatment
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The doctor can describe treatment choices and discuss the results expected with each treatment option. The doctor and patient can work together to develop a treatment plan that fits the patient’s needs.
Treatment depends on a number of factors, including the type of leukemia, the patient’s age, whether leukemia cells are present in the cerebrospinal fluid, and whether the leukemia has been treated before. It also may depend on certain features of the leukemia cells. The doctor also takes into consideration the patient’s symptoms and general health.
These are some questions a person may want to ask the doctor before treatment begins:
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What type of leukemia do I have?
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What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
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What are the benefits of each kind of treatment?
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What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
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If I have pain, how will you help me?
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What is the treatment likely to cost?
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How will treatment affect my normal activities?
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Would a clinical trial (research study) be appropriate for me? Can you help me find one?
People do not need to ask all of their questions or understand all of the answers at one time. They will have other chances to ask the doctor to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information.
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