LeukemiaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About 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)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Adult Leukemia Program
Richard Stone is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Stone is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. He is also highly rated in 34 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant. Dr. Stone is board certified in Hematology, Internal Medicine, and Medical Oncology.
Montefiore Medical Center
Marina Konopleva, MD, Phd, is Professor, Oncology, Professor, Molecular Pharmacology, Director, Leukemia Program and Co-Director, Blood Cancer Institute, at Montefiore Einstein. Her clinic focus centers on treating patients with hematologic malignancies, with an emphasis on acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She has additional expertise in treating patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myeloid leukemia. Dr. Konopleva is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. She is also highly rated in 25 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Anjali Advani is a Hematologist and an Oncologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been practicing medicine for over 34 years. Dr. Advani is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. She is also highly rated in 28 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant. Dr. Advani is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2003.
Common conditions include: Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia, Acute Monoblastic Leukemia (AmoL)
Summary: This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of gilteritinib and to see how well it works in combination with azacitidine and venetoclax in treating patients with FLT3-mutation positive acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm that has come back (recurrent) or has not responded to treatment (refractor...
Summary: This Phase 3 study in adult participants with newly diagnosed low-risk APL will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and PK of an oral capsule formulation of ATO, in combination with ATRA.
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.
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.