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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. Leukemia begins when normal blood cells change and grow uncontrollably. Blood cells (including red cells that carry oxygen, white cells that fight infection and platelets that cause blood to clot) are produced in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside the larger bones in the body. Types of leukemia are named after the specific blood cell that becomes cancerous, such as the lymphoid cells (white blood cells of the immune system) or the myeloid cells (cells of the bone marrow which develop into cells which fight bacterial infections).

Our Experts

Our experts work together in a multidisciplinary team (including dedicated, talented nursing staff and Lurie Cancer Center’s Supportive Oncology Team) to help create a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan and provide you with exceptional support. Get to know our physicians and the many other experts who will play an important role in your care.

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Clinical Trials

The Lurie Cancer Center is typically involved in more than 300 clinical trials at a given time, covering a broad range of subjects that may be relevant to your diagnosis. Browse our clinical trials to participate and help test new treatments.

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Patient Support

We offer a number of services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of cancer treatment.

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Featured Programs

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants

Our Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Program is the leader in volume and types of transplants, averaging over 250 transplantations per year, resulting in survival rates consistently exceeding the national survival rate.

Stem cell transplants are regularly used to treat leukemia; visit the program's page to learn more.

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Healthcare team talking to patient and family in clinic
Healthcare team consulting together

Car T-Cell Therapy Program

Chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR T-cell therapy, uses a patient’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Lurie Cancer Center is a leader in advancing this highly specialized form of immunotherapy through FDA-approved CAR T-cell treatments and cutting-edge clinical trials.

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Leukemia News

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