Leukemia is a cancer of the blood in which your white or red blood cells or your platelets grow abnormally and interfere with your body’s production of healthy blood cells. As a result, your body is more vulnerable to infections.
Condition in
Leukemia
Overview
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood in which your white or red blood cells or your platelets grow abnormally and interfere with your body’s production of healthy blood cells. As a result, your body is more vulnerable to infections.
Leukemia is generally classified by two factors: how quickly it grows and what type of blood cells it affects. It can be fast-growing (acute) or slow growing (chronic). The four most common types of leukemia are:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This is a fast-growing cancer generally affecting older adults.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This is slow growing and more common in adults.
- Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). This is fast-growing and the most common type of leukemia in children.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This is a slow growing type that is most common in adults.
Leukemia is highly studied, and many treatments that are now available to patients around the world were pioneered at our NCI-designated research center at Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.
Our approach
Physicians with M Health Fairview Cancer Care are known for their innovative and groundbreaking care for patients with blood cancers.
We have been a world leader in treating hematologic malignancies with blood and marrow transplant (BMT) since 1968, when the world’s first successful BMT was completed here. Since then, our physicians have performed thousands of transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers.
Leading in Leukemia Research
We continue to perform leading-edge research, including the use of cellular therapy to motivate the body’s own “natural killer” cells to destroy cancer cells, and the use of radio-immunotherapy to treat leukemia and lymphoma. In this type of therapy, the patient is given an antibody drug to specifically target the cancer cells. The drug has a radioactive particle attached to it that helps kill the targeted cells.
Recently, our team, in partnership with researchers at Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, has had success with an early stage clinical trial for patients with lymphoma and leukemia. This promising new immunotoxin therapy, using diphtheria bacteria, targets cancer cells while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy cells.
This continued research, conducted in collaboration with scientists at the Masonic Cancer Center, benefits patients who have failed standard therapies.
Information for providers looking to refer patients may be found here.
Providers for Leukemia
View All ProvidersLocations for Leukemia
M Health Fairview Cancer Center - Maple Grove
M Health Fairview Cancer Center - Maple Grove
M Health Fairview Clinics and Specialty Center - Princeton
M Health Fairview Clinics and Specialty Center - Princeton
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Minneapolis
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Minneapolis
M Health Fairview Cancer Center - Burnsville
M Health Fairview Cancer Center - Burnsville
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Maple Grove
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Maple Grove
Treatments for Leukemia
Services for Leukemia
News & Stories
Image
Cancer Care Stories
Uncommon resilience: Teen overcomes leukemia and a rare lung infection
Health Library Resources
Visit Health Library
Other Resources
M Health Fairview offers many support services for patients diagnosed with leukemia, including social work support and patient support groups. Learn more from your provider.