Hematology Program

Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells that originates in the bone marrow and blood, preventing the body from fighting infections effectively. After initial blood work to identify the level of white blood cells relative to red blood cells and platelets, further testing, such as diagnostic blood tests, flow cytometry, a bone marrow biopsy, and/or molecular/genetic testing, will determine the type of leukemia and severity of disease. There are multiple types of leukemia, including: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; Acute Myeloid Leukemia; Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

At Smilow, our leukemia specialists provide individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique clinical and genetic profile. Treatment options may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. Patients also have access to clinical trials offering the most promising emerging therapies.

Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer in the United States. It is a cancer of the lymphatic system, affecting lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell critical to immune function. There are two main types: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, each with distinct subtypes that require specialized approaches to treatment.

While the causes of lymphoma are not fully understood, treatment advances have transformed outcomes. The current 5-year survival rate for all people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma is 87%, and survival rates continue to improve with the development of newer, more targeted therapies. Our lymphoma team offers a full range of treatments, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation, as well as access to clinical trials.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells — a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. While myeloma was once considered difficult to treat, overall survival has improved significantly in recent years, thanks in part to a growing number of FDA-approved therapies and breakthroughs in research.

As part of the Smilow Multiple Myeloma and Gammopathies Program, our specialists offer personalized treatment plans and access to several active clinical trials for patients at all stages of the disease. We also provide dedicated care for patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), a precursor condition that requires close monitoring and expert evaluation. Early, proactive management of MGUS is a priority for our team.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a revolutionary, personalized cancer treatment that reprograms a patient's own T-cells to identify and attack tumor cells. CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable results, with complete remission rates of 80–90% in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma, and approximately 40% in patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma who have not responded to multiple prior lines of treatment.

The Stem Cell Transplant Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital is a FACT-accredited program that has been delivering life-saving care since 1994, performing approximately 200 transplants per year. We perform stem cell and bone marrow transplants for a wide range of malignant and benign conditions in both adult and pediatric patients.

We offer two types of stem cell transplantation:

• Autologous transplant — A patient's own stem cells are collected from their blood and stored for later use, then reinfused following high-dose treatment.
• Allogeneic transplant — Stem cells are received from a compatible donor. Compatibility is determined through HLA testing of family members, and if no family match is found, a search is conducted through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Be The Match Registry to identify an unrelated donor.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diverse bone marrow disorders in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy, functioning blood cells. MDS often develops without early warning signs or symptoms, and diagnosis is typically confirmed through a bone marrow biopsy.

At Smilow, treatment is highly individualized, guided by each patient's clinical presentation, disease subtype, and genetic features. For eligible patients, aggressive treatment with chemotherapy followed by an allogeneic stem cell transplant offers the possibility of a cure. Our team works closely with each patient to determine the most appropriate path forward, including participation in clinical trials when applicable.

Sickle cell disease is a serious, inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells, leading to episodes of pain, organ damage, and other life-altering complications. The Sickle Cell Disease Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital brings together a dedicated, multidisciplinary team, including hematologists, nurses, pharmacists, a psychiatrist, social workers, and chaplains all focused on delivering compassionate, comprehensive care.

Our team takes a family-centered approach, providing education and support not just for patients, but for their families and the broader community. A dedicated inpatient care unit ensures that patients with sickle cell disease are cared for in an environment specifically designed to ease suffering, reduce complications, and advance treatment options. Our team also actively conducts research to improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with this condition.

A hematology diagnosis affects every dimension of a patient's life. From your very first contact with our team, intake specialists, clinical secretaries, nurses, and schedulers work to ensure you are fully prepared for your visits and that your appointments are coordinated as conveniently as possible.

Throughout treatment, our physicians ensure that every patient feels fully informed and genuinely supported at every stage of their care. For patients undergoing complex therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy or stem cell transplantation, dedicated coordinators provide hands-on guidance and continuity of care throughout the entire process.

Our team extends to include social work, pastoral and spiritual care, dietary and nutritional counseling, physical and occupational therapy, integrative medicine, pain management, and psychosocial support and psychiatry, addressing the full range of challenges that can accompany a blood cancer diagnosis or chronic blood disorder. For patients with complex needs, such as those living with sickle cell disease, dedicated psychiatric support is also available as part of our multidisciplinary care team.