Leukemia, from the CureRays guide library.

Leukemia is cancer of the blood and bone marrow; treated mainly with medicines, with radiation playing key supporting roles — especially in preparing for a stem-cell transplant.

What it is.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissue — the bone marrow inside our bones, where blood cells are made. In leukemia, the marrow produces large numbers of abnormal white blood cells that crowd out healthy red cells, white cells, and platelets, leading to fatigue, infections, and easy bleeding. Unlike most cancers, leukemia is not a solid lump, so it is treated throughout the body with medicines rather than surgery. Treatment and outlook depend heavily on the exact type — some leukemias are fast-moving (acute) and treated urgently, while others are slow (chronic) and can be managed for many years. Radiation is used in specific, supportive ways, most importantly to prepare the body for a stem-cell (bone-marrow) transplant.

How radiation treats it.

Radiation uses high-energy x-rays to damage the DNA of leukemia cells so they can no longer divide. In leukemia its roles are specific. Total-body irradiation delivers a carefully calculated low dose across the whole body to clear hidden leukemia and make room for transplanted stem cells, with shielding to protect the lungs and other organs. Focused radiation can reach leukemia in the brain and spinal fluid or treat a localized mass, using precise planning to spare healthy tissue. Treatments are painless; side effects depend on the dose and area and may include temporary fatigue, nausea, or skin changes, all managed by the care team.

The ways we can treat it.

Total-body irradiation (TBI). Low-dose radiation to the whole body, given with chemotherapy before a stem-cell transplant, wipes out remaining leukemia and suppresses the immune system so donor cells can engraft.

Cranial / craniospinal radiation. Targets leukemia cells that hide in the brain and spinal fluid — a sanctuary chemotherapy reaches less well — used in selected cases such as central-nervous-system involvement.

Localized & palliative radiation. Shrinks a collection of leukemia cells (such as a chloroma), treats an enlarged, uncomfortable spleen, or relieves bone pain with brief, targeted treatments.

Questions we hear often.

Is leukemia treated with radiation like other cancers? Not as the main treatment. Because leukemia is in the blood and marrow throughout the body, medicines are the mainstay. Radiation has important supporting roles — especially total-body irradiation to prepare for a stem-cell transplant, or treating leukemia in the brain.

What is total-body irradiation like? It's low-dose radiation delivered to your whole body, usually in a few sessions over a couple of days, alongside chemotherapy before a transplant. It's painless during treatment; the team manages side effects like nausea and fatigue closely.

Can leukemia be cured? Many can. Childhood ALL is often cured, CML is controlled long-term with targeted pills, and stem-cell transplant offers cure for higher-risk disease. The outlook depends greatly on the specific type and its genetic features.

This guide is informational only. It is not medical advice — please confirm anything here with your care team.