Getting a diagnosis of leukemia can feel overwhelming. But multiple treatment options and support organizations can help you on your journey after diagnosis.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects your blood and bone marrow. This diagnosis can be devastating to receive. But many people with leukemia go on to receive treatments that help manage their condition and even lead to remission.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what happens after you receive a leukemia diagnosis, the stages of treatment, and where to find support.

After your doctor diagnoses leukemia, there will likely be additional steps before you can start your treatment. These steps are crucial to ensuring that you get the right care as soon as possible.

Here’s what happens next.

More tests

Your healthcare team may run more tests to gather additional information about the type of leukemia you have. These tests will help them understand how quickly the condition is expected to progress (risk stratification).

The tests may include:

  • blood tests to look for biomarkers, which are specific molecules in your blood that help your team understand how fast your cancer is spreading
  • genetic tests to search for mutations that can cause more mild or more severe disease
  • imaging studies to help your team determine how extensively the cancer has spread

Treatment plan development

Once your healthcare team has determined your risk, they’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. The treatment options will depend on:

  • the type of leukemia you have
  • its stage
  • the progression risk
  • your age and overall health
  • any symptoms you’re experiencing

Start of treatment

In some cases, especially with acute leukemia, treatment may start very soon — sometimes within a few days or weeks. For chronic types of leukemia, treatment might not begin immediately if the disease is slow growing, but regular monitoring will be important.

Leukemia treatment typically happens in stages, especially for acute forms. The goal is to eliminate the cancerous cells and maintain long-term remission.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical stages.

Induction

This is the first phase of treatment, where the goal is to kill as many leukemia cells (blasts) in your blood and bone marrow as possible. Induction therapy often involves aggressive chemotherapy that can last around a week.

Intensification (consolidation)

After recovering from induction, you’ll move on to consolidation. This stage aims to kill any remaining blasts. Doctors typically give consolidation chemo in stages so your body can recover between cycles.

Maintenance (post-consolidation)

Once consolidation therapy is complete, maintenance therapy helps prevent the leukemia from coming back. This stage can last for months or even years, and it typically involves lower doses of chemotherapy or other treatments.

Other treatments

Doctors might also treat some types of leukemia with the following therapies:

It’s important to ask questions so that you fully understand your outlook and treatment options. Here are some key questions you might want to ask your medical team:

  • What type of leukemia do I have, and how advanced is it?
  • What’s my cancer’s risk of progression?
  • What are my treatment options, and what would you recommend based on my preferences?
  • Will I need to be hospitalized for treatment?
  • What are my chances of remission?
  • How will treatment affect my daily life?
  • How long will my treatment last?
  • What are the possible side effects of the treatments, and how can I prevent and manage them?
  • Are there any lifestyle changes I should make during treatment?
  • Are there clinical trials available for my type of leukemia?

Receiving a leukemia diagnosis isn’t just a physical challenge — it’s an emotional one too. Finding support can make a huge difference in how you cope with the diagnosis and treatment.

Here are some places where you can find help:

  • Local hospital or cancer center: Many hospitals have support groups for people with cancer, including leukemia.
  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS): The LLS offers a wide range of resources, including local and online support groups, educational programs, and caregiver support.
  • The American Cancer Society (ACS): The ACS provides educational resources, emotional support groups, help with lodging and transportation during treatment, and other tools to help you cope with cancer.
  • CancerCare: CancerCare is a nonprofit organization that offers various resources, including counseling, support groups, educational resources, and financial support.
  • Societies dedicated to specific leukemia types: These include:
  • Online communities: Websites like the Cancer Survivors Network provide forums where you can connect with others going through similar experiences.

Leukemia isn’t curable. But some types of leukemia can go into long-term remission, meaning that no signs of the condition are present for many years, even for the whole rest of your life. For example, nearly 90% of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia achieve complete remission with treatment.

Your life expectancy will depend on several factors, including:

  • the type and stage of leukemia you have
  • its risk of progression
  • your age and overall health
  • how early a doctor diagnoses and starts treating the leukemia
  • the treatments you receive

The relative 5-year survival rate for leukemia is 67%. A relative 5-year survival rate is the measure of how likely someone is to live for 5 years following diagnosis. However, this number varies significantly depending on the specific type of this condition.

Getting a diagnosis of leukemia is life changing, but there are many treatment options that can lead to remission and long-term management of the condition. Your healthcare team will tailor your treatment plan to the specific type of leukemia you have and several other factors.

It’s important to stay informed and ask questions along the way. Emotional well-being is also key, so consider seeking support groups or counseling.