Prognosis
Prognosis refers to the likely outcome or course of a disease, including chances of recovery, survival, and quality of life. It depends on several factors such as the type and stage of the condition, age and overall health of the patient, genetic markers, and response to treatment. With advances in diagnostics and therapies, the outlook for many blood cancers and related disorders has significantly improved, offering patients longer survival and better quality of life.
Leukaemia
- Outcome depends on the type (acute vs. chronic), patient’s age, overall health, and genetic profile.
- Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has high survival rates with current treatments.
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) prognosis varies depending on genetic risk factors.
- Chronic forms like CLL and CML can often be managed for years with targeted therapies.
Lymphoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma has very favorable cure rates (often above 80%).
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma prognosis varies: indolent types may remain stable for years, while aggressive forms need urgent treatment.
- Survival rates continue to improve with modern chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted agents.
Myeloma
- Usually chronic but treatable, though not often curable.
- Newer therapies (proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, monoclonal antibodies, stem cell transplant) have extended survival.
- Prognosis depends on stage at diagnosis, kidney function, and genetic changes.
- Many patients can now live 10+ years with proper treatment and monitoring.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- Outlook varies from slowly progressing disease to aggressive cases transforming into acute leukaemia.
- Prognosis shaped by subtype, blood counts, genetic abnormalities, and age.
- Some patients live for years with supportive care alone.
- High-risk patients may need advanced therapy or stem cell transplant.
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)
- Prognosis depends on the specific disorder.
- Polycythemia Vera (PV) and Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) can allow near-normal lifespans with proper management.
- Myelofibrosis has a less favorable outlook due to marrow scarring and complications.
- Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) prognosis has improved drastically with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), allowing long-term disease control.
- Regular monitoring is essential to prevent progression and complications.