Synopsis
Tens of thousands of Americans are living with adult leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. Adult leukemia, which is really a group of diseases, can be a baffling condition for patients and families to understand, and finding targeted information on individual conditions can be difficult.
In straightforward, non-technical language,Adult Leukemia: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Familiesgives those living with leukemia the skills and resources to meet their needs for information and support. It addresses:
- Diagnosis and medical tests
- Finding, and successfully interacting with, a good oncologist
- Characteristics of the leukemias, factors in prognosis, and the various subtypes and staging systems for the disease
- Treatments, including watch-and-wait, chemotherapy, marrow transplantation, stem cell rescue, radiation, biological treatments, and trends in research
- Side effects and long-term effects of treatment, including how to cope and increase your quality of life
- Emotional responses to diagnosis, treatment, remission, possible recurrence, and other aspects of dealing with the condition, including stories from dozens of families living with leukemia
- Getting support from your family, friends, employers, and the broader community
- Leukemia resources: a comprehensive list that includes organizations, print, and online sites
Author Barb "Grannybarb" Lackritz is a leading patient activist in the leukemia community and herself a long-term leukemia survivor. She hosts several online mailing lists, maintains a well-known leukemia web site, and speaks frequently to doctors and government organizations. Lackritz emphasizes the promising emerging treatments for leukemia, covering in considerable depth the clinical trials of new therapies grounded in Western medicine. The information on researching leukemia, glossary, and appendixes will provide welcome support for those who want to keep up with the latest research.