Blood & Bone Marrow Disorders

At Holy Cross Health’s Cancer Center, our experts are here to help diagnose and treat blood and bone marrow disorders, which make up almost 10% of new cancer cases in the United States each year. These cancers are referred to as Hematologic Cancers. In blood and bone marrow cancers, your body produces abnormal blood cells, which make the work of the body’s healthy blood cells more difficult. There are three main types of blood cancers, based on which type of cell is abnormal:

Leukemia – the body’s bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells
Lymphoma – the body’s lymphatic system produces abnormal lymphocyte cells
Myeloma – the body produces abnormal plasma cells

Our renowned team of specialists at Holy Cross Health Cancer Center deliver the latest treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood and bone marrow cancers. See one of our medical professionals today to get on the road to recovery.

Screening and Diagnosis

Holy Cross Health offers several diagnostic technologies that allow our physicians to effectively diagnose, stage, and plan treatment for blood and bone marrow cancers.

Screening and diagnostic tests for blood and bone marrow cancers include:

Blood tests – uses a small blood sample to examine blood cells under a microscope and look for abnormal cells, cancer biomarkers and other information.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy – removes a small amount of liquid, bone, and bone marrow to diagnose blood cancers and track response to treatment.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – uses magnetic fields to create an image. Contrast “dye” may be injected during the study.
Computed tomography (CT) scans – use sophisticated X-ray technology to create pictures from many angles
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans – use a radioactive marker to provide information about how cells and tissues are functioning.

Hematologic Cancer Treatment

Your cancer is as unique as you are. That’s why to fight blood and bone marrow cancers, Holy Cross Health's experts collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan for you. Treatment options for colorectal cancers include:

Radiation Therapy

The new Holy Cross Health Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology and offers advanced equipment for specialized radiation therapy directed to the precise location of your tumor to destroy it. Learn more about our radiation therapy services.

Stem Cell Transplant

Created in the bone marrow, stem cells can become any type of cell. The goal of a stem cell transplant is to remove all the diseased blood cells, then reintroduce healthy stem cells to create new, healthy blood cells. Stem cell transplants are often called bone marrow transplants.

There are two types of stem cell transplants:

Using your body’s own stem cells (called autologous stem cell transplantation) – the stem cells are harvested, then reintroduced.
Using stem cells from another person (called allogenic stem cell transplantation) – a donor provides the stem cells for transplant.

The process begins with high-dose chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation, before the body is ready to accept new stem cells.

Medication

Other treatment options can include:

Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy, often called “chemo,” uses powerful anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used as a standalone treatment, or it can be combined with other treatment types, such as radiation therapy or surgery.
Immunotherapy - Immunotherapy is a revolutionary new wave of treatments that harness your own immune system to fight cancer. Your cancer-fighting immune cells are harvested, and in some cases are modified to work more effectively. Then they are multiplied and reintroduced into the patient’s body.
Targeted therapy - Targeted therapy uses specific drugs that can block or “target” the growth of certain cancer cells. Whether targeted therapy is a good option depends on your individual diagnosis.

Call 1-855-HCH-HOPE (424-4673) to learn more about our cancer care services.