Leukemia Forum - Treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with chemo pills

Cancer > Leukemia Forum > Treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with chemo pills

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Q: Treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with chemo pills

asked by: DoctorQuestion on July 23rd, 2007

I have been on gleevec about 11 months and every blood tests has shown cancer cells to be decreasing such as .005 but this last test showed .014 which the doctor said was a minor rise but I am concerned that the pill isn't going to keep working. Is this a normal thing for cml patients or will I most likely have to increase my dosage?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 17th, 2007

Leukemia Answer A3172

Even theoretically chemotherapeutic drugs can’t kill all the malignant cells produced by a cancer. Unfortunately, over time, chemotherapy becomes less effective against the malignant cells. Malignant cells can become resistant to certain types of chemotherapeutic drugs. You will need an expert opinion from a hematologist about the type and dosage of medicine for treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

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