artial remission, you may still have signs and symptoms of CLL. Your body will have fewer damaged lymphocytes than before treatment. Your body may also produce enough red blood cells. Your caregiver may not be able to feel large lymph nodes under your skin. Your liver and spleen may become smaller.
- Minimal residual disease: You may have minimal residual disease. This means that you have very few cancer cells left in your body.
- Progressive disease: If you have progressive disease, your CLL is getting worse. Your body may not be making enough red blood cells or platelets. Your lymph nodes, spleen, and liver may get larger.
- Relapse: You may relapse after having a complete or partial response to treatment. This means that you have signs and symptoms of progressive disease. Your blood tests may become abnormal again. Your lymph nodes, spleen, and liver may get larger.
- Refractory disease: Refractory disease means that you do not get better with treatment. You may need other treatments, such as a stem cell transplant.
This medicine, often called chemo, is used to treat cancer. Chemotherapy may be used to shrink lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Many different chemotherapy medicines are used to treat cancer. You may need blood tests often. These blood tests show how your body is doing and how much chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy can have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and will work with you to decrease side effects. Chemotherapy may help you feel better or live longer.
This is a treatment using x-rays or gamma rays to treat cancer. Radiation kills cancer and keeps the cancer from spreading. It also keeps cancer cells from dividing into new cells, which is one way cancer spreads. Lymph nodes with cancer are also treated with radiation. It may also be given with chemotherapy. Radiation may shrink your lymph nodes and spleen.
Eating well with cancer and cancer treatment:
Good nutrition can:
- help you feel better during treatment and decrease treatment side effects
- decrease your risk of infection
- help you have more energy and feel stronger
- help you maintain a healthy weight and heal faster
Do not drink alcohol:
Some people should not drink alcohol. These people include those with certain medical conditions or who take medicine that interacts with alcohol. Alcohol includes beer, wine, and liquor. Tell your caregiver if you drink alcohol. Ask him to help you stop drinking.
Do not smoke:
Smoking causes lung cancer and other long-term lung diseases. It increases your risk of many cancer types. Smoking also increases your risk of blood vessel disease, heart attack, and vision disorders. Not smoking may help prevent such symptoms as headaches and dizziness for yourself and those around you. Smokers have shorter lifespans than nonsmokers.
CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:
- You have a fever (high body temperature).
- You have new bruises or bruises that are getting bigger.
- You think you have an infection, such as a cough, cold, or flu.
- Your lymph nodes become painful or more swollen.
- You are losing weight without trying.
- You have a new rash.
- You feel depressed.
- You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.
SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:
- You have bleeding that does not stop.
- You have a fast heartbeat.
- You have very bad pain in your abdomen.
- You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
- You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
- Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treat