Blood Cancer

Using the latest treatments to fight blood cancers at the LCRP

Approximately every three minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with blood cancer. At the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, we are rallying decades of experience, the latest clinical research, and advanced treatments to stop blood cancers in their tracks. We partner with patients and their families on the journey to recovery, offering not only exceptional care but also hope for a brighter future.

Our expert team, ready to support you

The fight against blood cancers requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. That’s why our team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, hematologists, pathologists, radiation therapists, nutritionists, oncology-certified nurses, social workers and patient navigators. These experts work as a unit to guide our patients through every step of their treatment and recovery, ensuring a professional and personalized care experience.

Types of blood cancers

The most commonly diagnosed blood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Each type presents unique challenges and requires tailored treatment approaches.

• Leukemia: Cancer that begins in the bone marrow, where abnormal blood cells disrupt the production of healthy blood cells. Subtypes include Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CCL), and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).
• Lymphoma is a group of blood cancers affecting the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma (including Classic Hodgkin lymphoma and Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which develops in lymphatic tissue and may involve bone marrow or blood.
• Myeloma: A cancer originating in plasma cells, it can lead to conditions such as multiple myeloma, localized myeloma, or extramedullary myeloma, which affects tissues beyond the marrow.

Treating blood cancer

Our approach to treating blood cancers is both evidence-based and patient-centered. Your oncologist or hematologist-oncologist will develop a personalized treatment plan in collaboration with a team of nurse navigators, social workers, and nutritionists. Your treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy: Drugs administered orally or through IV to target and kill cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy: High-powered radiation or radioactive elements to eliminate cancerous cells.
• Immunotherapy: Leveraging the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
• Blood transfusions: Replacing vital blood components such as red cells and platelets with donations from healthy volunteers.
• Clinical trials: Access to innovative treatments through our robust Clinical Trials Program, where groundbreaking therapies are researched and applied.

The impact of clinical trials

Clinical trials at the LCRP provide patients with access to new, advanced treatments before they become widely available. By participating in these trials, patients play an active role in advancing cancer research while receiving cutting-edge care. Trials are conducted under the highest safety standards and often focus on precision medicine, tailoring treatments to the unique genetic makeup of each patient’s cancer. Our commitment to research ensures that our patients benefit from the latest therapies designed to improve outcomes and quality of life.