Effectiveness of Busulfan Flurada

I have a close friend in the Philippines who has just been diagnosed with CML  and is being given Busulfan Flurada tablets as their only form of treatment. Can anyone tell me how effective this regimen will be in the treatment of their CML?

 Thank you for your help in this matter. 

On 8/31/2008 gaters wrote:

I have a close friend in the Philippines who has just been diagnosed with CML  and is being given Busulfan Flurada tablets as their only form of treatment. Can anyone tell me how effective this regimen will be in the treatment of their CML?

 Thank you for your help in this matter. 

Hi:  Busulfan Flurada is usually given as a intravenous chemo prior to a transplant.  Your message says your friend is only getting this form of treatment.  Do you  have any more details, for instance age of your friend, or have they tried other treatments.  How long has your friend had CML?  There are a lot of factors for treatment.  I myself am on Gleevec for my CML, and went into remission 7 years ago.  Would be glad to give you any information if I knew more.

                                                                Suzzie59

Dear Suzzie,

 Thank you so much for responding to my message.

 My friend is 23 and has only been diagnosed with CML in the last three months. Her doctor has said that she has "mild" leukemia and that this medicine will make her better. Having read a lot of literature about CML I can only think that my friend is not really being told the full truth and that because of the lack of funds available for public health care in the Philippines, she is being given one of the less expensive drugs available.

She is currently suffering a lot of severe headaches and fevers. I suppose these might be side effects of the Busulfan Flurada, but I am so worried that they might also be signs of the accute phase of CML.

 She has received no other treatment other than Busulfan Flurada. Her next check up at the medical clinic is on 19th September, and I would like to ask you what questions she should be putting to the Doctor at this stage.

Thank you so much for your help in this matter.

 Best Regards,

 David.

On 9/3/2008 gaters wrote:

Dear Suzzie,

 Thank you so much for responding to my message.

 My friend is 23 and has only been diagnosed with CML in the last three months. Her doctor has said that she has "mild" leukemia and that this medicine will make her better. Having read a lot of literature about CML I can only think that my friend is not really being told the full truth and that because of the lack of funds available for public health care in the Philippines, she is being given one of the less expensive drugs available.

She is currently suffering a lot of severe headaches and fevers. I suppose these might be side effects of the Busulfan Flurada, but I am so worried that they might also be signs of the accute phase of CML.

 She has received no other treatment other than Busulfan Flurada. Her next check up at the medical clinic is on 19th September, and I would like to ask you what questions she should be putting to the Doctor at this stage.

Thank you so much for your help in this matter.

 Best Regards,

 David.

Hi David:  This does not sound like good treatment to me either.  You said she is only 3 months diagnosed with CML.  There is no such expression as mild CML.  She is in either Chronic Stage, or Accelerated or Blast.  How did they find it first of all.  Usually its just from a routine blood test, because in early stages there usually is no symptoms except for maybe fatigue all the time.  She needs to find a good Oncologist first of all, and the first thing is what is her White Blood Count, and then she needs a Bone Marrow Biopsy to determine how many cells are involved here.  The good news is that once a reputable doctor determines where she is at with all of this, then they can start her on one of the newer treatments that are available.  I myself am on Gleevec 400mg. one a day since 2000, and I am in remission for 7 years now.  She is young, but a bone marrow transplant is not always the answer.  You said she is on this medication that is used to get you ready for a transplant.  They have to check out some other things first, unless she is not explaining herself properly to you.  I am here all the time to answer any questions you might have.  I get on my computer a few times a day.  I really would like to help you out with this.

                                                                Suzzie

Dear Suzzie,

Thank you for offering to help my friend with
advice. I will ask her to try and get information about her blood count
and how she was first diagnosed and I will get her to ask her doctor
about the bone marrow biopsy.

My friend lives in one of the
shanty slums of Manila, an extremely poor and deprived area. I am
concerned that the health care system there will not be able to afford
the trademarked drug Gleevec. I have heard that there is now a generic
version of Gleevec being produced in India at a cost of $1 per tablet,
instead of the $20 per tablet for the trademarked drug. I do so hope
this becomes widely available soon, for her sake.

 At present she
is innocently unaware of the seriousness of her condition, as the
doctor has said it is only "mild" leukemia and she will get better only
taking Busulfan. I don't know if I should shatter this innocence and
create upset in her family by telling her the truth, or if it is better
just to try and give her sound advice. She is very willing to accept
and act on any advice I can give her.

 Thank you once again for offering to help. I will contact you when I get more information from my friend.

 Best Regards,