"If you are in remission why do you need to continue with chemotherapy?"
If stopping chemo immediately after remission the body has a much higher chance of relaspe. Remember when you had the flu and the doctor said to continue taking the antibiotic, even if you feel better sooner than the planned prescribed time? It is to prevent the sickness from coming back. Not only that, but if it did come back, that same medication will have a difficult time treating it. With luekemia, relapse is not good. There are only a hand full of known chemo medication that affectively treats ALL and Erika is taking them all. This is why her treatment is roughly a two year span.
Regarding the treatment she is in (the clinical trial), two years ago there was another trial done. Two groups were tested. Both were in the age range of 20-28 years old. One group did the standard treatment and the other did the pediatric treatment (which Erika is in). The group in the pediatric treatment had a significantly higher survival rate. This treatment has been on an ongoing study for the past 20 years. To date, it is the best for treating ALL in young adults.
After today's hospital visit, Dr. Ford said everything looks great and she will be admitted to LDS on the 28th of this month to begin Concolidation 1C once finishes up 1B next week.
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