Why Choose Us for Leukemia Treatment
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Hematologic Cancers Care Team includes national leaders in the research and treatment of the various types of leukemia.
We also have well-established biobank and blood and bone marrow samples that are continuously utilized by both our physicians and researchers, and we are a leader in treating rare hematologic neoplasms and other non-leukemia blood and bone marrow ailments.
Our research is at the forefront in clinical trials, from developing new drugs to combat leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) to understanding the mechanisms of resistance to treatment. At any given time, the members of our leukemia physician and research teams have dozens of trials and research programs in process.
Specialized Treatments
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow of a person. It occurs when the body produces an excessive number of abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells crowd out the bone marrow, resulting in decreased production of normal blood cells. This compromises the body’s ability to fight infections, carry oxygen, and stop bleeding.
The treatment or combination of treatments each patient receives depends on the recommendations of the care team and the patient’s wishes. We specialize in cutting-edge treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy as well as traditional treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplant.
Our Expertise
Our expertise in leukemia encompasses comprehensive patient care, a wide range of approved treatment options, and leadership in research, including cutting-edge clinical trials. We are at the forefront of innovative therapies for leukemia, such as CAR T cell therapy, which harnesses a patient’s own immune system to fight certain blood cancers.
Patient Care Philosophy
We believe no one should face cancer alone. Our dedicated and world-renowned doctors, nurses, and medical staff are at the forefront of patient-centered care. We treat the whole person, not just their cancer.
Each day, our medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists work together across disciplines to create and coordinate treatment plans for every patient. We understand cancer is a complex disease. That is why we use a team approach that includes social workers and support groups, as well as wellness and integrative health services such as acupuncture, massage, creative arts, and more.
Find a Leukemia Doctor
Leukemia Cancer Research
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, research is critical to our mission of better understanding, treating, and preventing cancer. We have that focus on laboratory, clinical, and population-based studies. We also have specialty that serve as collaborative hubs where doctors and scientists share findings and work together to accelerate progress.
Our scientists study the biology of cancer, explore the promise of immunotherapy, and find new ways to treat people using personalized medicine. We have made significant discoveries about genes linked to cancer risk, and our experts train the next generation of cancer researchers to make a difference in cancer care.
In addition, clinical trials test new drugs, drug combinations, procedures, and processes. These are key to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care. Patients on clinical trials may receive access to cutting-edge therapies not yet widely available, with studies being closely monitored so patient well-being is always the top priority. Our goal is to find new cancer treatments and improve the quality of life for people with cancer.
Clinical Trials
Make an Appointment with a Leukemia Specialist
To make an appointment with a leukemia specialist, fill out our appointment form or call 801-587-7000. Our team will determine if your insurance covers treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute or if you need a referral from a primary care doctor.
External providers can refer a patient using the online referral form or by calling 801-587-7000 to speak to a patient registration specialist.
Leukemia Basics
Leukemia is classified into different types based on the speed of progression (acute or chronic) and the type of blood cells affected (lymphoid or myeloid). There are four main types.
A rapidly progressing leukemia that affects lymphoid cells (a type of white blood cell). It’s most common in children but can occur in adults as well.
Signs & Symptoms
- Having many infections
- Fever or night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Flat spots under the skin, also called petechiae
- Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach or groin
- Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs
- Pain in the bones or stomach
- Weakness or tiredness
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
Causes & Risk Factors
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean you are sure to get cancer. It means your chances are higher than the average person’s. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your cancer risk.
- Being male
- Being white
- Being older than 70
- Having past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Being exposed to high levels of radiation from the environment, including nuclear radiation
- Having certain genetic disorders
Learn more about ways to prevent cancer and about family history and genetic counseling.
Stages of ALL
Cancer stages show if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. There is no standard staging system for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Learn more from the .
A fast-growing leukemia that affects myeloid cells (cells that normally develop into red blood cells, platelets, or certain types of white blood cells). AML can affect both adults and children, though it is more common in older adults.
Signs & Symptoms
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Flat spots under the skin, also called petechiae
- Weakness or tiredness
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
Causes & Risk Factors
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean you are sure to get cancer. It means your chances are higher than the average person’s. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your cancer risk.
- Being male
- Smoking
- Past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Having had treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Being exposed to high levels of radiation from the environment, including nuclear radiation
- Being exposed to the chemical benzene
- Having a history of a blood disorder such as myelodysplastic syndrome
Learn more about ways to prevent cancer and about family history and genetic counseling.
Stages of AML
Cancer stages show if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. There is no standard staging system for acute myeloid leukemia. Learn more from the .
A slower-progressing leukemia that affects lymphoid cells. It typically affects older adults and may not show symptoms for years.
Signs & Symptoms
- Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs
- Fever and infection
- Weakness or tiredness
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Painless swelling in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin
Causes & Risk Factors
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean you are sure to get cancer. It means your chances are higher than the average person’s. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your cancer risk.
- Being male
- Being white
- Increasing age
- Having a family history of CLL or cancer of the lymph system
- Having relatives who are Russian Jews or Eastern European Jews
Learn more about ways to prevent cancer and about family history and genetic counseling.
Stages of CLL
- Stage 0: There are too many lymphocytes in the blood, but there are no other signs or symptoms. This is often called indolent CLL.
- Stage 1: There are too many lymphocytes in the blood and lymph nodes are larger than normal.
- Stage 2: There are too many lymphocytes in the blood, lymph nodes are larger than normal, and the liver or spleen is larger than normal.
- Stage 3: There are too many lymphocytes in the blood and the lymph nodes, liver, or spleen may be larger than normal. There are too few red blood cells.
- Stage 4: There are too many lymphocytes in the blood and the lymph nodes, liver, or spleen may be larger than normal. There may be too few red blood cells, and there are too few platelets.
Learn more from the .
A slow-growing leukemia that affects myeloid cells. It’s more common in adults and can progress to a more aggressive form if left untreated.
Signs & Symptoms
- Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side
- Fever
- Weakness or tiredness
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Night sweats
Causes & Risk Factors
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean you are sure to get cancer. It means your chances are higher than the average person’s. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your cancer risk.
- Being male
- Increasing age
- Exposure to high doses of radiation
Learn more about ways to prevent cancer and about family history and genetic counseling.
Stages of CML
Cancer stages show if cancer has spread in the blood and bone marrow. There are no standard stages for CML. It is classified into phases:
- Chronic phase: Fewer than 10% of the cells in the blood and bone marrow are immature cells called blast cells.
- Accelerated phase: 10–19% of the cells in the blood and bone marrow are immature cells called blast cells.
- Blastic phase: 20% or more of the cells in the blood and bone marrow are immature cells called blast cells.
Learn more from the .
Hairy Cell Leukemia
A rare type of chronic leukemia affecting B cells (a type of lymphocyte). It gets its name from the appearance of the abnormal cells under a microscope.
T-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia (T-PLL)
A rare and aggressive form of leukemia that affects T-lymphocytes.
Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL)
A rare type of leukemia caused by the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) and affects T-lymphocytes.
Doctors use these tests to diagnose leukemia:
- Physical exam and history: A health care provider examines your body for signs of disease. Your personal health habits, past illnesses, and symptoms help guide the exam.
- Laboratory tests: By testing body tissues, blood, urine, or other substances in the body, your health care team can check to see how the organs are functioning. They also look for abnormal amounts of blood cells.
- Bone marrow biopsy: The health care provider removes a small sample of bone marrow to look for abnormal cells under a microscope.
- Cytogenetic analysis: The health care provider tests blood or bone marrow samples to look for specific changes in the chromosomes of the abnormal cells. The results can help doctors recommend specific treatments.
