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)
His research focuses on patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Dr. Sekeres is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant. Dr. Sekeres is currently accepting new patients.
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 26 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.
Common conditions include: Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia, Acute Monoblastic Leukemia (AmoL)
Background: Most people with hairy cell leukemia have a BRAF gene mutation. They can be treated with BRAF inhibitors, drugs that target this mutation. For people who do not have this mutation, BRAF inhibitors are not a treatment option. We found that in hairy cell leukemia, when BRAF is not mutated, the MEK gene frequently is. Binimetinib is a MEK inhibitor which targets MEK. It is important to determine if t...
Eligibility: * Diagnosis of CLL/SLL and on treatment/previously treated/nearing treatment * Diagnosis of LPL/WM * As of February 5, 2025, patients with MBL and SMZL will no longer be enrolled. * Age greater than or equal to 18 years. * ECOG performance status of 0-2. Design Patients are typically followed every 6 to 24 months in the clinic and have blood drawn. Patients may be asked to undergo additional testi...
Published Date: January 29, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, 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.
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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 FR. The acute leukemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 168.