Leukemia

Johns Hopkins is home to one of the largest leukemia programs worldwide. Groundbreaking treatments in all types of leukemias and blood disorders are just the beginning of unparalleled care and committment to our patients and families in the Johns Hopkins Leukemia Program.

Leukemia Experts

Leukemia experts at Johns Hopkins are world-renowned for their experience in the treatment and management of leukemia and blood disorders.

About Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells, which are produced in the bone marrow -- the spongy interior of the bones. Normally, blood cells are made in an orderly, controlled way. When leukemia develops, the bone marrow produces abnormal cells; therefore, the cells that are responsible for fighting infections and preventing bleeding are not made correctly.

Leukemias are classified as acute or chronic; acute leukemias progress more rapidly, while chronic leukemias gradually worsen. They are also classified by the type of white blood cells in which they arise -- lymphoid cells (cells produced by the bone marrow that function as immune cells) or myeloid cells (stem cells produced by the bone marrow that mature into diverse cell types including oxygen-carrying red cells, infection-fighting white cells, and blood clot-forming platelets). An estimated 44,000 new cases of leukemia develop in the United States each year, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

More information on leukemia:

Types of Leukemias
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Screening
Staging
Current Treatments and Research
Clinical Trials
Additional Resources for Patients