Leukemia Treatment
Cancer occurs when malignant cells divide and grow uncontrollably. Leukemia is a type of blood cancer caused by rapid, malignant cell growth within the body’s bone marrow. This rapid abnormal cell growth causes a large number of cancerous cells to enter the blood.
Our caring team of board-certified oncologists and advanced providers at The Oncology Institute diagnose and treat several forms of leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Learn more about leukemia and how we diagnose and care for patients battling leukemia.
Leukemia Symptoms
Symptoms of leukemia vary based on the leukemia type and the individual. Common symptoms of leukemia can include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Night sweats
- Frequent infections
- Bruising or bleeding easily
- Swollen lymph nodes
- An enlarged liver or spleen
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bone or joint tenderness or pain
- Recurring nose bleeds
- Petechiae or small red spots on the skin
While scientists are unsure what causes bone marrow cells to mutate and cause leukemia, there are known risk factors for developing leukemia. These risk factors can include:
- Exposure to radiation from past radiation therapy or chemotherapy
- Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, including workplace solvents like benzene
- Smoking
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Rare genetic disorders, including Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome, and Fanconi anemia
- A family history of CLL and other forms of leukemia
Unlike other forms of cancer, leukemia does not typically present as a mass or lump in imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans. Instead, we diagnose leukemia via a blood sample analysis after conducting a complete blood count (CBC). We can also diagnose leukemia through a microscopic evaluation of the blood, flow cytometry, or bone marrow testing.
We use a combination of diagnostic methods to pinpoint key characteristics of the type of leukemia present. This information helps us identify the most effective treatment courses for the individual, allowing us to provide the best care possible.
Since 2007, The Oncology Institute has offered specialized and precise care for patients battling leukemia and other blood cancers. Our multidisciplinary team offers personalized, evidence-based cancer care in a comfortable, community-oriented setting designed to heal the body, mind, and spirit. It is our mission to provide the support, education, care, and therapies you need to feel empowered as you undergo cancer treatment.
At The Oncology Institute, our compassionate cancer specialists, state-of-the-art facilities, and emphasis on a patient’s physical, mental, and emotional health position us to provide comprehensive, precise leukemia treatment. With more than 65 clinic locations across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida, we have supported more than 1.7 million patients and their families.
To learn more about how we diagnose and treat leukemia, request an appointment with us today.
