Leukemia Treatment at Sheba Medical Center
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, which include the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Many types of leukemia exist, but it predominantly affects white blood cells, which are a key part of the immune system. Normally, white blood cells grow and divide as needed, but in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which do not function properly and crowd out healthy cells. While leukemia occurs most often in adults over 65, it is also the most common cancer in children under 15.
Treatment for leukemia can be complex, depending on the type of leukemia and other factors, which is why choosing an experienced, world-class treatment facility is crucial.
Risk Factors
The following factors may increase the likelihood of developing Leukemia:
- Prior cancer treatment
- Genetic disorders
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Family history of leukemia
- Smoking
Types
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
This aggressive cancer is the most common form of pediatric leukemia, but can also develop in adults. Usually, treatment involves chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but leading medical facilities also offer bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
AML is the most common acute leukemia in adults and tends to progress rapidly when not treated. Common AML treatments include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy. However, novel treatments for acute myeloid leukemia, such as bone marrow transplantation and CAR T-cell therapy, are also offered at premier medical institutions.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
CLL is the most common leukemia in adults. The disease usually progresses slowly, and many don’t experience symptoms until years after it manifests.
Conventional or targeted chemotherapy are the primary methods of treatment for CLL, but radiation therapy is also common. Leading medical institutions may also offer immunotherapy.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
CML is a rare form of leukemia that tends to progress relatively slowly, but can transform into a rapidly growing acute leukemia. While it typically affects older adults, pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia constitutes 2% of all leukemias in children under 15. Conventional or targeted chemotherapy is the primary treatment methods for CML, but radiation therapy is also common. Premier medical institutions may also offer immunotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend, in part, on the type of leukemia, and some forms of leukemia may not exhibit symptoms in the disease’s early stages. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Frequent infections
- Weight loss
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Recurrent nosebleeds
Leukemia Treatment at Sheba
The largest medical center in Israel and one of the top ten hospitals worldwide according to Newsweek magazine, Sheba is dedicated to providing patients with world-class medical care.
Aside from more traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Sheba is a recognized global leader in bone marrow transplantations and immunotherapies, including CAR T-cell therapy, which reprograms the patient’s own immune cells to seek out and destroy cancer cells.
Each Sheba patient is provided with a comprehensive tailored treatment plan based on cutting-edge research and decades of experience.
Related Doctors
Prof. Arnon Nagler
President of Sheba’s Hemato-Oncology Center, Prof. Arnon Nagler is a widely acclaimed global expert in hemato-oncology, specializing in immunotherapies and bone marrow transplantations. Prof. Nagler has published hundreds of articles, reviews, and chapters in premier peer-reviewed journals. Read More
Sheba Medical Center A Recognized Leader in Global Healthcare
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Sheba Medical Center provides innovative, personalized medical care to patients from around the world. We are the largest, most comprehensive hospital in the Middle East and dedicated to providing advanced and compassionate medicine for everyone.
We welcome all cases, including the rarest and the most challenging. Our medical teams collaborate to provide the best possible health outcomes. From your initial inquiry through the long-term follow-up care, we are here for you.
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