What Diseases Can Be Treated With Apheresis?

Leukemia

Leukemia describes several types of cancer that originate in the blood-forming cells. While multiple blood cells can be affected, this cancer is typically in the white blood cells. Depending on the type of this cancer, individuals of all ages can be affected. With some leukemias, the patient’s leukocytes increase significantly, posing the risk of thrombosis due to the blood thickening. To prevent this, doctors might recommend leukapheresis, which involves removing white blood cells from the patient’s blood before returning the blood to the body. This process works fast to reduce the white blood cells. It tends to be more effective and efficient than chemotherapy for this purpose.

Continue reading to learn more about what conditions apheresis treats.