Learn About Leukemia

What is the definition of Leukemia?

Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are produced.

The term leukemia means white blood. White blood cells (leukocytes) fight infections and other foreign substances. Leukocytes are made in the bone marrow.

Leukemia leads to an uncontrolled increase in the number of white blood cells.

The cancerous cells prevent healthy red cells, platelets, and mature white cells (leukocytes) from being made. Life-threatening symptoms can then develop as normal blood cells decline.

The cancer cells can spread to the bloodstream and lymph nodes. They can also travel to the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) and other parts of the body.

Leukemia can affect children and adults.

Leukemias are divided into two major types:

  • Acute (which progresses quickly)
  • Chronic (which progresses more slowly)

The main types of leukemia are:

  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
Who are the top Leukemia Local Doctors?
Stephen J. Forman
Elite in Leukemia
Elite in Leukemia

City Of Hope Medical Foundation

1500 Duarte Rd, 
Duarte, CA 
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Stephen Forman is a Hematologist in Duarte, California. Dr. Forman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. His top areas of expertise are Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

Marcos J. De Lima
Elite in Leukemia
Hematology Oncology | Oncology | Hematology
Elite in Leukemia
Hematology Oncology | Oncology | Hematology

Osu Internal Medicine LLC

410 W 10th Ave, 
Columbus, OH 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients

Marcos De Lima is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. De Lima is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. His top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Graft. Dr. De Lima is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Danielle M. Brander
Elite in Leukemia
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Elite in Leukemia
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Duke Health Integrated Practice Inc

2351 Erwin Rd, 
Durham, NC 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Danielle Brander is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Brander is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Chronic B-Cell Leukemia (CBCL), Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), Leukemia, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Brander is currently accepting new patients.

What are the different types of Leukemia?
What are the latest Leukemia Clinical Trials?
Lymphoid Malignancies and Precursors: Tissue Acquisition Protocol

Background: \- Lab studies help researchers better understand cancer biology. This information may lead to new methods for diagnosing or treating cancer. To develop these studies, researchers want to collect samples from people with cancer or precancer conditions of the lymph system. These conditions include multiple myeloma, different types of lymphoma, and adult leukemia/lymphoma. The samples collected will...

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An International Pilot Study of Chemotherapy and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors With Blinatumomab in Patients With Newly-Diagnosed Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive or ABL-Class Philadelphia Chromosome-Like B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Summary: This pilot trial assesses the effect of the combination of blinatumomab with dasatinib or imatinib and standard chemotherapy for treating patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) or ABL-class Philadelphia chromosome-like (Ph-like) B-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Blinatumomab is a bispecific antibody that binds to two different proteins-one on the surface of cancer cells an...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Appelbaum FR. Acute leukemias in adults. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 95.

Brown JR. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 169.

Hunger SP, Teachey DT, Grupp S, Aplenc R. Childhood leukemia. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 93.

Radich J. Chronic myeloid leukemia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 170.

Walter RB, Appelbaum FA. The acute leukemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 168.