Leukemia
April 19, 2024
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Guido Marcucci, M.D., Chair, Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, City of Hope Duarte
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that is characterized by blood cells that grow uncontrollably.
Healthy cells form in the bone marrow and mature into red blood cells (to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues), white blood cells (to fight infections) and platelets (to stop bleeding).
In patients with leukemia, however, these cells do not mature as they should or they transform into irregular blood cells that do not function normally. As abnormal cells build up in the bone marrow and bloodstream, the patient may experience anemia, susceptibility to infections and bleeding that does not clot due to the lack of functional red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Leukemia accounts for about 3% of all new cancer cases in the United States. It occurs most often in adults older than 55, but it is also the most common cancer in children younger than 15.
Leukemia may not cause symptoms, and when it does, they may vary based on the leukemia type. Some symptoms patients may experience include fatigue, fever, easy bruising or bleeding and weight loss.
If a leukemia diagnosis is suspected, the care team will perform a series of tests, which may include a biopsy, imaging tests and lab tests. The results will help guide the diagnosis, type and stage of leukemia.
When a patient receives a leukemia diagnosis, the care team may tell them they have a specific type and subtype of the disease. Leukemia types include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and more.
Leukemia treatment plans are individualized to each patient's specific leukemia type and stage, as well as the patient's preferences and goals. Leukemia treatment options may include targeted therapy, chemotherapy and bone marrow and stem cell transplantation.
Leukemia clinicians and researchers collaborate extensively to develop and evaluate new therapies for better survival and quality-of-life outcomes. City of Hope® patients are able to benefit from groundbreaking developments in treatment taking place just steps away from their bedsides, with blood cancer research and innovations happening in onsite laboratories and manufacturing facilities.
Our Leukemia Expertise
City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, and has been consistently named a top hospital for cancer by U.S. News & World Report for nearly two decades. Since City of Hope is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, our doctors also help develop and improve evidence-based leukemia treatment guidelines for patients throughout the country.
Our Leukemia Program Highlights
City of Hope's multidisciplinary team of specialists – including hematologists, medical and radiation oncologists, scientists, supportive care experts, and other professionals – work together to provide coordinated, personalized care for you and your loved ones.
- The Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research is home to a team of scientists whose laboratory research focuses on furthering our understanding of the causes of leukemia (leukemogenesis) and developing new disease-specific therapeutics.
- Comprehensive molecular profiling and risk assessment tests that can help identify personalized leukemia treatments whose goal is to produce the best outcomes.
- A world-class bone marrow and stem cell transplant program with better-than-expected survival outcomes for over 10 years.
- Leading-edge clinical trials for leukemia that are unavailable elsewhere, including CAR T cell immunotherapy, mutation-specific drugs and novel stem cell transplant regimens.
- Total marrow irradiation that can target radiation therapy to bone marrow while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues and organs.
- Specialized observation programs for slow-growing leukemia subtypes, allowing our doctors to deliver timely therapies when they are the most effective.
- A long-term follow-up program to minimize the risk of leukemia recurrence and improve the quality of life for leukemia survivors.
City of Hope provides every patient with a strong network of blood cancer support services designed to help with needs like financial counseling and treatment side effect management.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to blood cancer care.
