Leukemia care options include powerful medications, targeted therapies, and other specialized treatments. Your doctor will determine the most effective methods for you, depending on your age, general health, the type of leukemia you have, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
At Penn Medicine, our blood cancer care specialists have many years of experience treating leukemia. We lead the largest bone marrow transplant program in our region, performing hundreds of the procedures every year. We also use newer, advanced approaches to improve overall survival and quality of life—some that were discovered here at Penn Medicine, like CAR T cell therapy. With our extensive experience and knowledge, our specialists will design a care plan to bring you the best possible results.
Leukemia care and treatment
Leukemia treatments are designed to destroy cancer cells, to slow or stop their growth, or to help the immune system recognize and eliminate leukemia cells. Treatments also include targeted therapies, which interfere with specific molecules that allow leukemia cells to grow, and transplants, which can replace damaged cells with stem cells that produce healthy bone marrow. Your care plan may include a combination of these therapies, depending on your specific circumstances.
Leukemia treatment options
Penn Medicine has every option available to treat leukemia — from traditional cancer therapies to the newest advances. These treatments may be given alone or in combinations.
Leading the way in leukemia care
Penn Medicine’s experts have deep knowledge in all aspects of leukemia care. When you come to us for your leukemia treatment, you’ll benefit from:
- A history of leadership: Penn is a longstanding international leader in blood cancer treatment. We helped develop many of today’s treatments and teach clinicians worldwide about effective leukemia care, including CAR T cell therapy. Our researchers also continue to make contributions to the field of leukemia. We’re currently conducting nearly 100 active clinical trials in blood cancer.
- Specialized expertise: Leukemia treatment has changed significantly in the past few years. Our physicians have special training and experience in all types of leukemia, making our team well positioned to choose the appropriate therapy for you.
- Innovative leukemia care for older adults: At Penn Medicine, our leukemia experts can offer stem cell transplants to older adults who previously weren’t candidates for the therapy. We were at the forefront of developing lower-intensity chemotherapy, which helps make it safer for people later in life to receive a stem cell transplant. Our team also makes CAR T cell therapy available to an older population by helping manage side effects.
- Bloodless transplant options: Stem cell transplants usually involve a blood transfusion, but some people can’t or don’t want to accept blood from a donor. We offer bloodless medicine treatments, including transplantation, through the Penn Medicine Center for Transfusion-Free Medicine.