Types of Blood Cancer We Treat
Blood cancer is a common type of cancer, but your experience is unique. Our Cancer Care team has significant experience treating patients with these conditions including:
- Leukemia. A type of blood cancer that starts in your bone marrow
- Lymphoma. A form of blood cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, including your lymph nodes and spleen
- Multiple myeloma. A cancer that starts in your plasma cells, a specific kind of white blood cell
- Myelodysplastic syndrome. A group of conditions caused by damage to your bone marrow
- Myeloproliferative neoplasm. A rare cancer that occurs in your bone marrow and causes you to produce too many blood cells or platelets
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Blood cancer can feel like or lead to:
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Fever
- Infections or swollen lymph nodes
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
Many of these symptoms might sound similar to those of other, less serious conditions, but you know your body best. If you think you are feeling any of these blood cancer symptoms, reach out to your primary care doctor so we can learn more about what might be causing them.
We use different tests to diagnose blood cancer. Your care team starts with blood tests like complete blood counts and blood chemistry to look at cells and other substances in your blood. We may also run imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. If these exams are abnormal, we may take a tissue sample (biopsy) from your bone marrow to confirm a diagnosis.
If these tests find cancer, we refer you for a cancer consultation with an oncologist who specializes in treating blood cancer. This expert reviews your test results and medical history to learn more about your diagnosis and form a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
We know learning you have blood cancer can feel scary. That’s why we are committed to seeing you for a cancer consultation as quickly as possible — often within 48 hours — after your diagnosis so we can discuss treatment options, order additional tests and address any questions without delay.
Treatments
Your blood cancer is unique, which is why you deserve a personalized care plan tailored to your needs and your type of blood cancer. Each week, the Cancer Care team convenes a tumor board that brings together experts from across disciplines to collaborate on customized care plans for you. This collaboration has one common goal — to make sure you get the best possible care. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists, including hematology, radiation and medical oncologists who collaborate alongside radiologists, pathologists and more, cares for you through every part of your treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a first-line treatment for many forms of blood cancer. We collaborate with you on the right combination of anticancer drugs, anti-nausea medicine and pain medication for your needs. El Camino Health is also at the forefront of hospitals using targeted therapy, a precise approach that finds a unique combination of drugs to combat your blood cancer. We analyze your cancer to learn about its protein and chemical makeup, then use the latest research to find which drugs will have the greatest impact fighting it.
Radiation
In addition to surgery, your cancer care team may recommend radiation treatment to eliminate your bone cancer. Radiation oncologists at our Radiation Treatment Center have treated thousands of patients. Our state-of-the-art radiation treatments, including stereotactic radiosurgery, adaptive radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, treat blood cancer with speed and precision.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, is a treatment that empowers your immune system to fight cancer by helping your body find and attack blood cancer cells. Our experts are skilled in using checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy to fight cancer.
Blood or Platelet Transfusion
If you undergo chemotherapy and experience a drop in your blood count (a test that checks the number and type of cells in your blood), your care team may recommend a blood or platelet transfusion to get your blood count back to a normal level.
Stem Cell Transplant
You may be a candidate for a stem cell transplant, either from your own cells or from a donor, which can be used to cure some blood cancers. During this procedure, your surgical oncologist replaces your damaged bone marrow with healthy marrow. Bone marrow transplant is not performed at El Camino Health, but we coordinate and collaborate in your transplant care with other local facilities.
Clinical Trials
We are always looking for the next opportunity to improve detection, ease treatment and find better cures for your bone cancer. That’s why we collaborate with other medical centers and the National Cancer Institute on bone cancer clinical trials ranging from innovative surgical approaches to immunomodulation to chemotherapy modifications.
If you’re interested in participating in this leading-edge research, talk to your care team to find a study that’s right for you.
Cancer Awards & Accreditations
Our superior Cancer Care has earned us a three-year accreditation as a comprehensive community cancer program from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Accreditation ensures that the care you receive right here in your community is high-quality and uses evidence-based, national treatment guidelines.
We’re also an ACS Surgical Quality Partner and committed to the highest surgery standards.
Patients rate us highly, too. Based on PressGaney patient satisfaction surveys, our “likeliness to recommend” score is over 90%, and we’ve won the top patient experience award multiple years in a row.
 |  |
Cancer Patient Stories
You are our inspiration. Hear how El Camino Health Cancer Center has helped other patients beat cancer — and how we can support you at every step of the way.
