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 in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Stone 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 Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
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. Her top areas of expertise are 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 in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Advani has been practicing medicine for over 34 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leukemia. Her top areas of expertise are Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), 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)
Summary: This is a Phase 1/2, open-label, multicenter study to determine the efficacy and safety of JCAR017 in adult subjects with relapsed or refractory CLL or SLL. The study will include a Phase 1 part to determine the recommended dose of JCAR017 monotherapy in subjects with relapsed or refractory CLL or SLL, followed by a Phase 2 part to further assess the efficacy and safety of JCAR017 monotherapy trea...
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...
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.