A leukemia diagnosis can be overwhelming, and hard to understand. At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we're committed to caring for body, mind and soul, helping patients navigate the process of healing with less confusion and more agency. From next-generation treatments to our dedicated clinical nurse navigators to help patients find resources and information, we're here for you. With Hoag in your corner, you're ready to fight.
With new treatment options, next-level research, innovative technology and a commitment to caring for each patient as a whole and unique person, Hoag is winning the fight against blood cancers. At Hoag, we help patients survive and heal from leukemia.
Leukemia is a type of cancer which occurs in cells of the body that help create blood, including cells in the lymphatic system and bone marrow. Most often, leukemia starts when mutations cause bone marrow to begin rapidly producing abnormal white blood cells. While normal white blood cells help your body fight infection, these abnormal white blood cells can begin to crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow and blood, causing illness. Sometimes, these abnormal cells can also accumulate in other parts of the body, causing tumors to grow.
The four most common types of leukemia are:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which begins in B lymphocyte cells and usually appears in older adults. According to the American Cancer Society, around one-third of leukemia cases are diagnosed as CLL
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which accounts for around 15 percent of leukemia cases according to the American Cancer Society. More common in adults than children, CML impacts the myeloid cells
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is the most common type of leukemia in adults. AML causes the body to produce abnormal white blood cells, which overwhelm healthy blood cells.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), which more commonly occurs in children. ALL usually begins in immature white blood cells called B or T lymphocytes, and can impact bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
The symptoms of leukemia can be different for every patient, but common symptoms can include:
Swollen lymph nodes
Enlarged spleen or liver
Unexplained weight loss, night sweats or fatigue
Easily bruising, or having trouble getting cuts to stop bleeding
Recurring nosebleeds
Pale skin from anemia
Tiny red spots (petechiae) on your skin
Bone aches
Recurring or severe infections
There are a number of factors that are believed to increase your risk of developing leukemias.
Exposure to high doses of radiation, such as an exposure while working with radioactive materials in the military or at a nuclear reactor, or encountering fallout from a nuclear bomb
Smoking
Exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam
Disorders of the bone marrow, called Myelodysplastic syndromes
Significant on-the-job exposure to solvents, including benzene and formaldehyde
Family history, particularly a parent, child or sibling who developed leukemia
Though there’s no known strategy to completely eliminate your chance of developing leukemia, there are a few steps you can take that might reduce your risk:
Wearing a correctly-rated respirator and other protective gear with dealing with solvents like benzene and formaldehyde on the job
Keeping a healthy immune system by eating a proper diet and getting regular exercise
Don’t smoke
If you are experiencing any symptoms that might suggest leukemia, see your doctor right away. Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and family history. This will likely be followed by a thorough physical exam and bloodwork to see if there are leukemia cells in your blood.
Depending on the outcome of your blood work, your doctor may order a bone marrow test to check for the presence of cancer there. Collecting a sample of bone marrow for the test usually involves inserting a needle into your hip bone to reach the pulpy marrow inside.
After diagnosis, your doctor will talk to you about your current symptoms, discuss treatment options and potentially refer you to a specialist for more tests or surgery.
Trust Hoag for your leukemia treatment. For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Hospitals Rankings named Hoag the highest-ranked hospital in Orange County
Hoag is a leader in peace of mind for cancer patients through our Clinical Nurse Navigator program. This unique program provides cancer patients and their families with access to nurses who have specialized training in specific cancers. These nurses serve primarily as facilitators and guides. By answering questions, providing support and serving as a trusted source of science-backed information at each phase of treatment, Hoag’s Clinical Nurse Navigators are a critical resource for patients during diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Find more information about the Nurse Navigator Program at this link.
Treatment options for leukemia depend on many factors, including how advanced the cancer is when detected and any other health issues you may have. Treatments for leukemia vary from patient to patient, but may include:
Bone marrow transplant, which involves neutralizing your natural immune system with chemotherapy and radiation, after which healthy marrow, usually from a suitable donor, is implanted
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy, which boosts and preps your immune system to fight the cancer
Targeted drug therapies, which uses drugs that target specific traits of the cancerous cells you have
Facing a leukemia diagnosis may be frightening, but with Hoag in your corner, you can survive and heal from blood cancer. Meet Hoag’s world-class hematological disorders team.
At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we’re committed to offering the best support services, resources and educational information to our patients and their families at every stage of their cancer journey. Hoag’s Integrated Cancer Support Services are open to everyone regardless of their prognosis, cancer stage or phase of recovery.
Resources include:
Find more information about Integrated Cancer Support Services at Hoag at this link.
Hoag is committed to leading the way in state-of-the-art technologies and advanced treatment options. Part of this commitment includes clinical research with the goal of helping patients live longer, healthier lives. Through carefully-planned clinical trials, researchers evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases or conditions. Treatments studied in clinical trials might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or devices, or new ways to use existing treatments. View clinical trials for leukemia here.
At Hoag, our clinical research team is committed to excellence in research and a continuing commitment to protect the interests and well-being of patients. Contact us at 949-764-4577 to see if joining a clinical trial for leukemia is right for you.
At Hoag, we understand that a cancer diagnosis may cause you and your family to experience a variety of significant life changes. We are committed to providing you with support before, during and after treatment. Hoag’s survivorship resources help you navigate through the challenges of telling friends and family about your cancer, working while living with cancer, returning to “normal” after cancer and so much more. We strive to provide you with the resources needed to feel empowered in your everyday life.