Leukemia: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

• The evaluation begins with a medical history and a physical examination.
  
• Blood testing can often give an initial diagnosis.
  
• Bone marrow biopsy may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
  

Treatment

• Acute leukemias are treated with chemotherapy. Stem cell transplantation is an option in some patients.
• Many patients with chronic leukemias may not require immediate treatment (and some never require treatment). When initiated, treatment may consist of medical drugs, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or stem cell transplantation.