Personalized care for blood cancer
Your blood contains several types of cells made in the bone marrow that play many essential roles in your body. For example, white blood cells help your body fight off infections. Blood cancer begins when abnormal blood cells start to grow out of control. These cancerous blood cells can affect your bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system.
Blood cancers are very complex, and there are several types. Each type of blood cancer has its own set of risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatment options. On average, a person in the United States is diagnosed with one of these types of blood cancer every three minutes, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Whether you’re at risk for blood cancer, have already taken a blood test or are looking for a second opinion, we have the specialization you need. We have a team of experts where blood cancer is all they do, and they work closely with your local physician to personalize your care and ensure continuation of treatment.
Contact a patient navigator to connect with care for your specific blood cancer type.
Why Baylor Scott & White Health for blood cancer treatment
Through our large network of Texas cancer centers, we make access to innovative blood cancer treatments and dedicated services easier for you.
From holistic cancer support to advanced care like blood and marrow transplants, we have the tools you need to beat blood cancer. Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health, has one of the nation's oldest blood and marrow transplant programs and is the first North Texas provider to offer adult commercial use of CAR T-cell therapy.
Because so many types of blood cancer exist, we personalize your care. You’ll have a team of multiple oncology experts to help diagnose and treat your specific blood cancer. We’ll explain your options and walk with you through every step of your blood cancer treatment and recovery.
- Care from multiple specialists who focus solely on treating blood cancer
- Dedicated cancer care centers across North and Central Texas
- Innovative treatment options, including CAR T-cell therapy
- Stem cell and blood and marrow transplant (BMT) programs
- Pediatric blood cancer care through Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center – Temple
- Access to a diverse portfolio of Phase I, II and III clinical trials and research studies aimed at advancing expanding screening, prevention, diagnostic, and treatment options for blood cancers
- Patient navigators to help guide you through care
- Numerous support programs
- Survivorship program
- Housing for out-of-town cancer patient families at Hope Lodge
Types of blood cancer
The type of blood cancer you have depends on the kind of blood cells affected. Cancer can start from abnormal changes in your marrow cells and affect several types of white blood cells and plasma cells. Some of the different types of blood cancers that we treat include:
Leukemia
Leukemia starts where blood cells are made in the bone marrow. It then spreads to your blood.
The most common types of leukemia blood cancer are:
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Visit our leukemia page to learn about the different risk factors, symptoms and treatments associated with the types.
More about leukemiaLymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops from white blood cells called lymphocytes.
The two main types of lymphoma blood cancer are:
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Visit our lymphoma pages to learn more about the risk factors, symptoms and treatments for these cancers.
More about lymphoma
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma begins in the bone marrow and affects your plasma cells. When these cells become abnormal and rapidly progress, it turns into cancer. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and the outer layer of the bones. Multiple myeloma is not a bone cancer but is cancer that affects bones.
Some factors may increase your risk of developing myeloma:
- Older than 50 years
- Being male
- Radiation or exposure to certain chemicals
- Obesity
- African Americans are at twice the risk than other races
- Presence of chronic immunodeficiency
- Inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes
These risk factors could be present due to other illnesses not related to blood cancer, so see your doctor about your concerns.
Some patients have no symptoms in the early stages of myeloma, and the disease is not detected through routine blood work tests. When symptoms are present, bone pain and fatigue are most common.
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases that affect the blood and marrow at varying degrees.
Primary (de novo) MDS occurs when random mutations accumulate in the stem cells with aging. If these mutations occur in specific genes and in particular locations, MDS results.
Secondary (treatment-related) MDS is less common than cases of primary MDS. It can occur in a small number of patients who received treatment (such as exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation), though the risk of developing it is low. Patients with rare, inherited bone marrow disorders—such as Fanconi anemia or dyskeratosis congenita—or aplastic anemia (a bone failure disorder) can also develop secondary MDS.
Some people have no symptoms, or their doctor may detect MDS from routine blood work before symptoms appear. Others may experience:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding
- Easy bruising
These symptoms could be present due to other illnesses not related to blood cancer, so see your doctor about your concerns.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) develop from an abnormal mutation in the stem cell's bone marrow, leading to an overproduction of white cells, red cells and platelets.
Types of MPNs
Essential Thrombocythemia occurs when the bone marrow produces too many platelets, which can lead to a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel (thrombosis).
Myelofibrosis is a rare MPN disorder that occurs when abnormal blood cells and fibers build up in the bone marrow.
Polycythemia Vera occurs when too many red blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Often the white blood cells and platelets counts are elevated, too.
Comprehensive blood cancer care for your child
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's in Temple is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), an international organization dedicated to childhood cancer treatment and research. As a member, Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's has access to the most current and successful treatments for childhood cancer and actively participate in research to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Our team, led by physician-specialists, includes pediatric hematologist-oncologist and nurses with specialized training and certification in the treatment of children with cancer and blood disorders. We also have dedicated social workers and Child Life specialists with expertise in helping children and families through the many challenges that they face while undergoing blood cancer treatments.
Blood cancer support
With our support services, you don’t have to journey through blood cancer alone. From support groups to spiritual care to survivorship, we care for every aspect of your well-being.
Let us stand by your side as you face blood cancer.
Cancer hates optimists
Amber | Multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma
As a nurse, Amber gives warriors strength to face life's biggest battles. When she faced her own enemy, she won the war with the help of her cancer care team and conscious optimism.
Cancer hates believers
Sharon | Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
For Sharon, faith is everything, especially her faith in people. With her nurse navigator by her side every step of the way, Sharon had support and confidence to defeat lymphoma.
Find blood cancer care
We offer multiple locations to care for you, including special programs for blood cancer care. Get started by finding a blood cancer care location near you.
*Certain treatments may not be available at every location. Your cancer care team will work to create a treatment plan convenient for you.
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