A cancer diagnosis might change your life forever, but it will bring out the very best in you. And at INTEGRIS Health, it also brings out the very best in us.
Hearing the word “cancer” can be scary. But we want you to know that INTEGRIS Health will be with you every step of the way. That begins with understanding what a diagnosis of leukemia means. Leukemia is a cancer of your blood and bone marrow, which causes your body to produce abnormal and possibly aggressive blood cells.
There are four main types of leukemia: acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (LEUKEMIA). Acute leukemia involves cells reproducing malignantly when they’re still very young. Chronic leukemia involves cells reproducing malignantly after they’ve matured and had some period of normal function.
A cancer diagnosis is always life-changing, and leukemia is no different. But at INTEGRIS Health, you have the depth and breadth of the INTEGRIS Health and the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute behind you, with the region’s foremost collection of therapies, physicians and specialists. We’ll be here for you every step of the way, from the first diagnosis and staging to treatment and even beyond – with rehabilitation designed specifically for cancer survivors.
Leukemia treatment used to mean dozens of appointments at different facilities with multiple specialists, but with our Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic, the process is streamlined. We gather our physicians and specialists in one room to decide the best course of treatment for you. That means the time you have to spend between diagnosis and treatment is dramatically reduced.
We know this can be a challenging time, so please ask your physician about any concerns or questions you might have.
Leukemia is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in youth, accounting for about one-third of the cases of childhood cancer. In children and adults, white blood cells are the foundation of the body’s immune system. Consequently, leukemia symptoms often appear as symptoms of a compromised immune system and could be caused by other health issues, so it’s best to talk with your physician. These symptoms could include:
If your doctor thinks you might have leukemia, exams and tests will be required to reach an accurate diagnosis. This begins with your physician asking questions about your health history, symptoms, risk factors and family history of disease, and may continue with more in-depth tests:
Your treatment program will be unique to you and your needs. Upon diagnosis, a plan is mapped out, taking into consideration your age, overall health and health history, how much the cancer has advanced, predicted course of the disease, tolerance for available procedures and medications, as well as your preferences and opinions. Initially, the treatment plan will address the anemia, bleeding, infection or other presenting symptoms. Initial treatment will be followed by additional therapy, which may include one or more of the following:
At INTEGRIS, we offer a wide variety of support programs and services along with the Troy and Dollie Smith Wellness Center to help patients with breast cancer and their loved ones manage the physical and emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Support services for leukemia include:
