Lymphoma/Leukemia

Lymphoma and leukemia are cancers that affect your blood and its cells. If you develop symptoms of these diseases, Arizona Center for Cancer Care’s highly skilled oncologists can help. The practice has offices spread across Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Sun City West, Goodyear, and Tempe, Arizona. You can benefit from an accurate diagnosis and effective lymphoma/leukemia treatments by calling your nearest office or booking an appointment online today.

What are lymphoma and leukemia?

Lymphoma and leukemia are forms of cancer:

Lymphoma

Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system, which forms a vital part of your immune system by carrying white blood cells around your body to fight infection. The lymphatic system is a complex collection of organs and tissues consisting of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels, bone marrow, and your spleen and thymus gland.

Leukemia

Leukemia also affects the lymphatic system. It makes the bone marrow generate abnormal white blood cells that don’t work as they should.

Are there different kinds of lymphoma and leukemia?

Lymphoma has two primary forms. Hodgkin lymphoma typically affects the lymph nodes between your lungs or in your neck. It can also occur in the lymph nodes in your abdomen, groin, or underarms.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects specific cells in your immune system (T, B, and NK cells). These cells are so widespread that non-Hodgkin lymphoma can metastasize (spread) to almost any area.

The main forms of leukemia are acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Less common forms of leukemia include myelodysplastic syndromes, hairy cell leukemia, and myeloproliferative disorders. Arizona Center for Cancer Care’s highly skilled oncologists can treat all forms of lymphoma and leukemia.

What symptoms do lymphoma and leukemia cause?

As there are varying kinds of lymphoma and leukemia, you could experience a range of symptoms. Possible problems include:

• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Frequent or severe infections
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Unexplained, recurring fever
• Cough
• Unexpected weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Chills and sweating
• Bleeding or bruising easily
• Recurrent nosebleeds
• Petechiae (tiny red spots on your skin)
• Pain or tenderness in your bones

You might have only a few of these symptoms or none at all until the cancer reaches a more advanced stage.

How are lymphoma and leukemia treated?

Treatments available at Arizona Center for Cancer Care for lymphoma and leukemia include:

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells using powerful drugs. Radiation therapy also kills cancer cells, but with energy from sources like X-rays or protons.

Immunotherapy

Cancer cells escape detection from your immune system by hiding themselves with a particular protein. Immunotherapy blocks the action of this protein so your immune system can target the cancer cells.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy focuses on a specific aspect of a cancer cell that‘s vital for its survival and growth. Drugs can block signals in the cancer cell and stop it from growing or spreading.

For example, chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by a genetic mutation that creates a new protein. A targeted therapy drug turns the protein off, killing the leukemic cells and returning your bone marrow to normal.

Some patients might require a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. Patients can sometimes participate in clinical trials for new or improved lymphoma and leukemia treatments.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care has oncologists who also specialize in hematology, treating noncancerous blood disorders like hemophilia as well as lymphoma and leukemia. To benefit from their expert care, call Arizona Center for Cancer Care or book an appointment online today.