A diagnosis of leukemia can be shocking a devastating to any individual and their loved ones. Understanding what leukemia is, how it’s treated and the prognosis of an individual relies information. Leukemia is not something that can be removed from the body, but instead has to be treated as a disease process. Leukemia is a cancer of blood forming tissues in the human body such as bone marrow or the lymphatic system, and typically forms in the white blood cells.

Leukemia is classified based on what type of blood cell is affected. In lymphocytic leukemia, the disease affects the lymphoid cells that make up lymphatic tissue, vital for immune system function. Myelogenous leukemia affects the myeloid cells, which later develop into red and white blood cells and platelet-producing cells.

One of the most common leukemia treatments is a bone marrow transplant. However, the cost of leukemia treatments can be overwhelming. In the United States, one round of chemotherapy approximately costs $150,000 while a bone marrow transplant might cost $250,000 or more. Additional costs, including specialists, medication, hospitalization or other therapies add more to the final bill. India offers bone marrow transplants for up to $25,000, while cancer patients in Singapore may receive treatments that range from about $70,000 to $100,000.

Cancer treatment centers and cancer specialists such as those found at the Acibadem Healthcare Group in Istanbul, Turkey or those found at EmCell, Kiev, Ukraine or the AMRI Medical Center in Kolkata, India, offer hope to millions around the world diagnosed with some form of leukemia.