Hematologic Cancers

Every three minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with hematologic cancer. Also known as blood cancer, it begins in the bone marrow where immune system and other stem cells form.

At the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, the latest advancements have significantly improved cure and survival rates of this type of cancer. And our membership in the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance ensures you receive the best available care close to home.

Every patient’s treatment team includes a hematologic cancer specialist called a hematopathologist. The team also includes chemo and radiation nurses, social workers, nurse navigators and more. You don’t just have a doctor, you have the entire Cancer Institute’s expertise working with you.

Types of Hematologic Cancer

The three most common blood cancers:

• Leukemia: Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue, such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.
• Lymphoma: Develops in the body’s lymphatic system. NonHodgkin lymphoma is linked to lymphocytes, white blood cells that fight infection. Hodgkin lymphoma is linked to abnormal lymphocytes called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
• Multiple Myeloma: Found in plasma cells made in the bone marrow. 

Diagnosing Hematologic Cancers

Your doctor may recommend these tests to see if you have a blood cancer:

• Blood tests
• Bone marrow exam
• Diagnostic imaging tests (CT scan, PET scan, X-ray)
• Biopsy, or the surgical removal of a lymph node for examination

Treating Hematologic Cancers

Most hematologic cancers require immediate treatment.

Treatment can include:

• Chemotherapy delivered at one of our convenient infusion centers across the state
• Radiation scheduled at our radiation sites in communities statewide
• Bone marrow (stem cell) transplant
• Targeted therapy

Learn more about Bone Marrow Transplant

Hematologic Cancers