We Treat
Leukemia
One of the common types of blood cancer is leukemia. Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with leukemia in the U.S., including children and adults. While it can occur at any age, certain types of leukemia are more common in specific age groups.
Leukemia is a cancer that affects the white blood cells, which are crucial to the body’s immune system, and originates in the bone marrow. Though the causes of leukemia are not always known, modern treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies and stem cell transplants offer many patients the chance to achieve remission and continue living healthy, fulfilling lives.
We understand that a leukemia diagnosis can be overwhelming, and it’s natural to have concerns about what lies ahead. At SCRI Oncology Partners, we are here to stand by your side, providing compassionate care and expert guidance. Our goal is to make sure you have the support, knowledge and resources you need to face this journey with hope and confidence. In addition to our expert team of physicians, we have dedicated staff who are certified in hematology, ready to support you.
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer that develops from blood cells, and there are several types of leukemia based on the origin cell type and the growth rate of the cancer. For instance, lymphocytic leukemias start in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell produced in the bone marrow. Myeloid leukemias originate in the myeloid cells of the bone marrow, while chronic myelomonocytic leukemia begins in the blood-forming cells within the bone marrow. In leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells that don’t function properly, crowding out normal blood cells. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, frequent infections, bruising or bleeding easily and bone pain.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of leukemia?
People with leukemia may experience a wide range of symptoms but the following are common signs and symptoms to watch for:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Recurrent infections or fevers
- Shortness of breath or persistent fatigue
- Unexplained pain in your bones or joints
- Drenching night sweats
- Swollen lymph nodes, or an enlarged liver or spleen
It’s essential to understand that many symptoms associated with blood cancer can stem from other, often harmless, conditions. Just because you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer.
Nonetheless, if you have persistent health concerns, we strongly recommend consulting with a physician. Taking this step can help you gain clarity and ensure you receive the appropriate care and support.
Risk Factors
Staging
Treatment
Clinical Trials
How are leukemia cases diagnosed?
If there is a possibility that you have leukemia, we recommend seeing an experienced hematologist for further testing and treatment. One of the initial tests you might undergo is a complete blood count (CBC) test. This test offers valuable insights by measuring the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood, helping to identify any irregularities. Additionally, your hematologist will also perform a physical examination and ask for additional information about your medical history, symptoms and family history.
After the initial test is completed, your care team may recommend additional tests to gain a deeper understanding of how different elements of your blood are functioning. This may include examining the hemoglobin levels and the shape of your red blood cells, as well as assessing whether your bone marrow is producing enough healthy red blood cells. For white blood cells, your healthcare team might take a closer look at the various types and subtypes to ensure they are functioning properly.
For any disorder, your hematologist may also order a peripheral blood smear (or PBS) to examine your cells under a microscope more closely or may order additional tests to measure enzymes and proteins in the blood. In some cases, a sample of blood marrow may be taken to see how well your bone marrow is producing blood cells. Bone marrow testing requires bone marrow aspiration—a sample removal of the liquid portion of bone marrow. It may also include a bone marrow biopsy, the removal of a small, solid piece of bone marrow to confirm the presence of malignant plasma cells.
In addition to these tests, your doctor may also order various imaging tests- such as CT, MRI or PET scans to look for bone damage or other signs of cancer.
Risk factors for leukemia
Risk factors are elements that may elevate your likelihood of developing leukemia. It’s important to understand that having risk factors does not mean you will definitely develop leukemia, just as not having risk factors does not guarantee you will remain cancer-free. Being aware of your risk factors empowers you to take proactive steps in managing your health.
Some common risk factors for leukemia include:
- Previous cancer treatment, especially involving chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome
- Non-cancerous blood disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome
- Smoking
- Family history of cancer
- Viral or bacterial infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus or HIV
- Lowered immune systems
- Exposure to radiation, asbestos, petroleum, agricultural or woodworking chemicals, benzene, dioxins, pesticides, and herbicides increases risk
Staging
If you are diagnosed with leukemia, your physician will carefully assess the stage of your cancer to create the most effective treatment strategy for you. For most solid tumor cancers, staging is based on the size of the tumor and its spread within the body. In the case of blood cancers, which do not form tumors, the stage is described by the number of cancerous cells present and their accumulation in other organs. This detailed understanding helps your care team offer you the best possible support and treatment.
When staging leukemia, your physician may consider your white blood cell count, age, and health history, as well as any chromosome abnormalities, bone damage or enlargement of your liver or spleen. Each type of leukemia affects the body differently and has its own staging system.
Staging helps your care team plan the best treatment for your diagnosis. If you have questions or need additional information, speak with your doctor about what treatment options are available to you.
How can leukemia be treated?
If you have been recently diagnosed with leukemia, your cancer care team will help you develop a treatment plan that best fits your cancer and your overall goals for your health. The treatment your physician recommends may depend on the type of leukemia you have, and the stage that your cancer is in. If you have any questions about your treatment options, always ask your doctor.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to treat leukemia by using anti-cancer drugs that are either given as an injection or taken by mouth. This is often an effective treatment for blood cancers because chemotherapy drugs enter through the bloodstream and can reach the entire body.
Chemotherapy is the main treatment given for most forms of leukemia. This treatment may be used alone, or with other treatments like immunotherapy or radiation therapy, depending on the type and stage of the cancer you have.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy leverages your immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy drugs are used to either boost your immune system to help it target and attack leukemia cells, or to change the way your immune system works to fight the cancer cells.
- Monoclonal antibodies, which are man-made versions of the proteins made by your immune system to fight your infection, can be used to treat leukemia. These drugs work by targeting a substance on the surface of lymphocytes, the cells in which leukemia can start. Immunotherapy drugs target these checkpoints to start an immune response.
- Certain types of leukemia may also be treated with drugs called bispecific antibodies, which attach to both cancer cells and immune system cells. This brings the two cells together, helping the immune system destroy the cancer cells.
- Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy may also be used in the treatment of some leukemia cases. This treatment removes immune cells called T-cells from the patient’s blood and alters them in a lab. The altered cells have receptors that attach to the proteins on the surface of leukemia cells to destroy them.
Targeted therapies
Targeted therapies with drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. These cancer cells contain an abnormal gene that produces a protein which leads to uncontrolled cell growth and division. TKIs target this specific protein to stop growth. If initial treatment with TKIs does not stop the cancer growth, your physician may increase the dose of the drug or switch to another type of TKI. Chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant may be an option for some patients.
Bone marrow/stem cell transplantation
Hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HPSCT), sometimes referred to as bone marrow transplants, can be used to treat leukemia cases that have not responded to chemotherapy or radiation, or to cases that have come back after treatment. Blood and bone marrow transplants allow doctors to give a patient a higher dose of chemotherapy. Doses of chemotherapy drugs are usually limited to minimize damage to the bone marrow, where new blood cells are made. In this treatment, patients receive a high dose of chemotherapy, and the transplanted cells create healthy bone marrow.
Leukemia clinical trials
Today’s clinical trials are tomorrow’s treatment options. A clinical trial can help determine if a treatment, drug or procedure shows a better way of treating a particular cancer or condition. At SCRI Oncology Partners we are committed to offering the latest clinical trials to improve your outcomes and ensure access to cutting-edge scientific advancements for our patients in the community.
If you are looking for a local oncologist in Nashville, Tennessee or you are interested in participating in a clinical trial for leukemia through our collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a global leader in oncology research, the first step is to talk to our healthcare team.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.