Blood Cancers

Not all blood disorders are cancerous and our board-certified medical oncologists and hematologists are prepared to treat all types of blood disease including:

• Anemia (too few red blood cells)
• Coagulation and thrombosis disorders (blood clotting issues)
• White blood cell disorders
  • Neutropenia (too few bacteria-fighting white blood cells)
  • Neutrophilia (too many bacteria-fighting white blood cells)
• Plasma cell and antibody production disorders
• Platelet disorders
• Bone marrow failure diseases

The most common benign blood disease is anemia, a condition where the red blood cell count is lower than normal. Although low iron is the most common reason for anemia, this is not always the case. In fact, anemia can have many causes including a reaction to certain medications, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, a serious underlying medical condition or an autoimmune disorder.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a benign blood disorder include:

• Fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath can result from severe anemia
• Fever, chills, organ damage
• Blood clots
• Enlarged spleen
• Kidney disease

Treatments

A doctor will perform a physical examination, review symptoms and perform blood studies. If initial results indicates the presence of a blood disorder, treatment may include:

• Drug therapies
• Transfusions
• Stimulating agents that increase blood cell production
  • Erythropoietin for red cells
  • Granulocyte growth factor for white cells
  • TPO mimetics for platelets
• Advanced agents for blood clots/deep vein thrombosis that may not require routine monitoring
• Bone marrow transplants

For additional information on programs, services and locations, download and print the following PDFs:
St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Program Guide
St. Luke’s Infusion Centers Guide

There are four types of leukemia. Two types, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), are categorized as acute because they spread quickly. With these types of leukemia, cancerous cells replace normal white blood cells that fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen to the body, and platelets that help blood clot.

The other two types, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), are classified as chronic, meaning they develop and progress gradually. When cancerous cells replace healthy cells, the body is susceptible to other adverse health effects such as infection, bleeding and anemia.

In any form of leukemia, cancerous cells replacing the healthy blood cells increase the body’s susceptibility to infection.

Symptoms

The causes of leukemia are unknown, however it affects both sexes and all ages. People who may be at particular risk are smokers and those who have a family history of leukemia, a genetic disorder or who have been excessively exposed to radiation or toxic chemicals.

Symptoms of adult acute leukemia include:

• Infections
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Anemia
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Appearance of spots on the skin
• Joint pain

In the case of adult chronic leukemia, middle-age or older adults are most likely to be affected. Chronic leukemia might not yield symptoms especially in its early stages because the abnormal cells are still functional. As the disease progresses, it may cause:

• Infections
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatments

A doctor will perform a physical examination, review symptoms with the patient and perform testing for leukemia that can include:

• Blood studies
• Bone marrow tests

If initial testing indicates the presence of adult leukemia, treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Biologic therapy
• Bone marrow transplant
• Stem cell transplant

For additional information on programs, services and locations, download and print the following PDFs:
St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Program Guide
St. Luke’s Infusion Centers Guide

Lymphoma is a cancer of a part of the immune system, also known as the lymphatic system, which fights off disease and infection. There are various types of lymphoma, including Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas develop when certain abnormal white blood cells begin to divide, producing a large number of abnormal cells that can spread throughout the body.

Hodgkin's disease is characterized in its early stages by an enlarged lymph node. As Hodgkin's disease progresses, it can spread to other lymph nodes, the lungs, the liver or bone marrow.

Symptoms

The causes of lymphoma are unknown. Certain viruses however, such as human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia and Epstein-Barr, and genetic factors have been linked to the disease. Lymphoma is more common in men than women and tends to strike people older than age 40. People at particular risk of developing lymphoma are those who have been exposed to carcinogens or have undergone radiation or chemotherapy treatments in the past.

Symptoms of lymphoma include:

• Swollen, painless lymph nodes that often appear in the neck, armpits or groin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Anemia
• Persistent weak or tired feeling
• Night sweats

Treatments

A doctor will perform a physical examination, review symptoms with the patient and perform testing for lymphoma that can include:

• Blood studies
• Bone marrow tests
• Lymph node biopsy
• CT scan
• P.E.T./CT

If initial testing indicates the presence of lymphoma, treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Biologic therapy
• Bone marrow transplant
• Stem cell transplant

For additional information on programs, services and locations, download and print the following PDFs:
St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Program Guide
St. Luke’s Infusion Centers Guide

Myeloma, also referred to as multiple myeloma, is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells reside in the bone marrow and are usually known for making antibodies to protect you from infection.

Symptoms

Myeloma occurs when abnormal plasma cells collect and accumulate in the bone marrow, interfering with the production of normal blood cells. For unknown reasons, myeloma is more common in men than women and is twice as common in African Americans as European Americans. Most people with multiple myeloma have genetic abnormalities in their plasma cells contributing to the onset of disease.

The early stages of multiple myeloma may not produce any symptoms, however as the disease advances, multiple myeloma can cause serious health issues such as:

• Kidney problems / renal failure
• Bone damage and fractures
• High calcium levels in the blood causing excessive thirst, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite and confusion
• Fatigue caused by anemia

Treatments

A doctor will perform a physical examination, review symptoms with the patient and perform testing for myeloma that can include:

• Blood studies
• Bone marrow tests
• Urine protein analysis
• X-rays of commonly-involved bones

Myeloma is usually an incurable chronic condition, but it can sometimes be cured by bone marrow transplantation. However, cancer treatments and therapies for myeloma can extend life and may enhance the quality of life for many people with the disease. If initial testing indicates the presence of myeloma, treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Steroidal therapies
• Protease inhibitors
• Stem cell transplants
• Bone marrow transplant
• Radiation therapy to reduce pain from bone lesions

For additional information on programs, services and locations, download and print the following PDFs:
St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Program Guide
St. Luke’s Infusion Centers Guide