Maintenance Therapy
A complete remission implies a clinical, haematological and bone marrow remission. For remission therapy drugs like, methotrexate cyclophospharnide and 6-mercaptopurine are used. Usually a combination of two drugs is employed. Drugs are continued till there is a complete remission after which they can be gradually tapered off. Your responsibility as a nurse is to prepare the child for the treatment and watch for any untoward symptoms and assist in drug administration. In addition to this treatment, short courses of steroids and vincristine can be used about six months after initial therapy. If exacerbations occur during maintenance therapy the treatment is reverted back to initial course. Total duration of chemotherapy is of 2% - 3 years.