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)
City Of Hope Medical Foundation
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.
Osu Internal Medicine LLC
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.
Duke Health Integrated Practice Inc
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.
Common conditions include: Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia, Acute Monoblastic Leukemia (AmoL)
Summary: Patients eligible for this study have a type of blood cancer called T-cell leukemia or lymphoma (lymph gland cancer). The body has different ways of fighting infection and disease. This study combines two different ways of fighting disease with antibodies and T cells. Antibodies are types of proteins that protect the body from bacterial and other diseases. T cells, or T lymphocytes, are special in...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to find out the genetic and biochemical makeup of your neuroblastic tumor, which influences its aggressiveness and the suitable therapy. These research studies include surface marker analysis, cytogenetics, cancer genes,genome sequencing, tumor growth-related genes and tumor growth in test tubes. Your blood, marrow, and hematopoietic stem cell samples will also be test...
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.