For more than three decades, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Chicago has offered leading-edge care to patients in Illinois, Wisconsin and nearby Midwestern states, including Minnesota and Michigan. The hematologic oncology experts at the Blood Cancer Center at City of Hope Chicago treat all kinds of blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myeloproliferative disorders and more. Powered by our world-renowned, National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in Southern California, our Blood Cancer Center team is part of one of the largest bone marrow and stem cell transplantation programs in the country.

Blood Cancer Care in Chicago

City of Hope Chicago’s team of hematologic oncologists are experts in diagnosing and treating cancers of the blood, also known as hematologic malignancies. As a patient at our Blood Cancer Center, you will work with an integrated team of physicians who, depending on your diagnosis, may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy specialists and experts in targeted therapies such as immunotherapy. In addition, we have a dedicated Chicago bone marrow and stem cell transplant team on staff with expertise in performing these leading-edge procedures. Some blood cancer patients may also qualify for clinical trials. Your team will help you understand your diagnosis and work with you to create a personalized care plan.

What Sets Our Chicago Blood Cancer Program Apart?

City of Hope Chicago’s Blood Cancer Center provides patients leading-edge diagnosis options. Patients who choose to receive treatment with us benefit from access to:

The nation’s largest and most successful bone marrow and stem cell transplantation program, offering innovative treatment, including both allogeneic and autologous transplants, and exceptional survival rates
Our breakthrough chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy program, which reprograms immune cells from the patient’s body to attack cancer
Precision medicine options, such as immunotherapy, which are designed to target your specific cancer, based on the results of lab tests
Access to our leading clinical trials program, including trials exploring new treatment options for blood cancers
Supportive care experts, who will help you address the physical and emotional side effects of receiving blood cancer treatment
A follow-up program for blood cancer survivors

Our Illinois Blood Cancer Center Recognitions

City of Hope Chicago is the proud recipient of several accreditations awarded by organizations that assess and monitor the quality of cancer care. These designations, which reflect City of Hope’s commitment to quality care, include those listed below.

Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) Badge

Accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT): This recognition is the threshold for excellence in cellular therapy, including bone marrow or cord blood transplantation.

Accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP): The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program accredits laboratories that meet rigorous requirements. The laboratory at City of Hope Chicago is among the fewer than 100 CAP-accredited biorepository programs in the United States — an accreditation recognizing centers that excel in tissue collection, preparation, sampling and processing.

Awarded Magnet-recognition for excellence in nursing: Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Magnet^® status is considered the highest honor a hospital can achieve for its nursing programs.

Learn more about City of Hope Chicago’s accreditations

Our Chicago Blood Cancer Experts

Led by bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy expert Tulio Rodriguez, M.D., City of Hope Chicago’s Blood Cancer Center offers the technology, expertise and person-centered approach that patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other blood cancers need. From standard-of-care to innovative treatments like bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapies, we are committed to finding options that are right for you. Meet our blood cancer team:

Tulio Rodriguez, M.D.

Hematologist-Oncologist

Tulio Rodriguez, M.D., joined City of Hope® Cancer Center in Zion, Illinois, in September 2023 as the director of the Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program and a hematologic oncologist, where he specializes in the treatment of blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma.

Marlon Kleinman, M.D.

Hematologist-Oncologist

Marlon Kleinman, M.D., joined City of Hope® Cancer Center in November 2023 with more than 25 years of experience in hematology/oncology. Working primarily in the City of Hope Cancer Care North Shore location, Dr. Kleinman brings extensive experience and expertise in treating all types of cancer, from solid tumors to malignant hematologic diseases.

Leslie L. Popplewell, M.D.

Hematologist

Division Chief and Associate Professor at City of Hope’s Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Leslie L. Popplewell, M.D., is the principal investigator for a number of clinical trials examining new lymphoma therapies including CAR T cells and phase 1 and first in human trials. She is also working on advanced transplant techniques for patients whose lymphoma has recurred.

Vaibhav Agrawal, M.D., M.B.A.

Hematologist-Oncologist

Vaibhav Agrawal, M.D., M.B.A., is no stranger to City of Hope. Beginning in his senior year of high school and throughout college, Dr. Agrawal spent every summer at City of Hope’s laboratories and returned during medical school to study bone marrow transplantation. He is driven to make a difference in the fight against a disease he’d endured as a child.

Hoda Pourhassan, M.D.

Hematologist-Oncologist

For Hoda Z. Pourhassan, M.D., being a physician is where scientific curiosity meets humanity. She is a strong believer in City of Hope’s team approach to treatment, and infuses her care with insights gained from her research into the genetics of blood cancers.

Ajaz M. Khan, M.D.

Medical Oncologist

Ajaz M. Khan, M.D., M.B.A., C.P.E., joined City of Hope® Cancer Center in March 2022. As Chair of the Department of Medical Oncology at City of Hope Cancer Centers Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix, Dr. Khan is responsible for guiding protocols, ensuring standard-of-care guidelines are consistently met and exceeded, and helping recruit high-quality physicians.

Bradford Tan, M.D.

Pathologist

Bradford Tan, MD, has devoted nearly three decades of his career to serving patients at City of Hope®. In addition to serving as Medical Director of the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and the Stem Cell Laboratory at City of Hope Chicago, Dr. Tan serves as Chair of the Department of Pathology Laboratory Medicine for City of Hope Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix.

Karan Shah, M.D., M.B.A.

Radiation Oncologist

Karan Shah, M.D., M.B.A., joined the Department of Radiation Oncology at City of Hope Cancer Center in Lake County, Illinois, in August 2015, where he evaluates and treats patients with a variety of cancer types.

Referring a Patient to City of Hope Chicago

City of Hope has developed a quick and efficient process to help health care providers to refer patients to our Chicago cancer center.

City of Hope is committed to keeping referring physicians updated throughout their patient’s treatment process through HIPAA-compliant communications and working closely with them to transition patients back to their care when treatment is complete.

To refer a patient to City of Hope Chicago, here are three ways to contact our team:

PHONE: (847) 746-9990
FAX: (847) 342-4089
EMAIL: [email protected]

Make an Appointment With Our Blood Cancer Team

City of Hope Chicago’s Blood Cancer Center is located at:

City of Hope Chicago
2520 Elisha Ave.
Zion, IL 60099

City of Hope Downtown Chicago
160 Upper E. Illinois St.
Chicago, IL 60611

City of Hope North Shore
9300 Waukegan Road
Morton Grove, IL 60053

Have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer? To make an appointment with a City of Hope Chicago blood cancer expert today, call (877) 524-4673.

Contact City of Hope

We’re here for you. Contact us, and we’ll answer any questions.

(877) 524-4673