Acute Leukemia

Overview

Mayo Clinic offers compassionate, multidisciplinary treatment of acute leukemia in children and adults. Mayo Clinic hematologists are considered national authorities in the diagnosis and treatment of acute leukemia. They work with skilled pathologists who identify and classify leukemia in a specially designated laboratory. In addition, Mayo physicians and researchers study acute leukemia and work to develop new treatment drugs. Some treatment developments are available in clinical trials. Hospitals at Mayo have units dedicated to caring for leukemia patients. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Diagnosis

Mayo doctors rely on a thorough medical interview and physical examination, blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy to diagnose acute leukemia. Read more about diagnosis of acute leukemia.

Treatment Options

Treatment strategies are based on the stage of the cancer and the needs of the patient. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for acute leukemia. Venous catheters and transfusions may also be used as necessary. Bone marrow transplant is also an option. Read more about acute leukemia treatment.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Acute Leukemia

Acute leukemia is a malignancy arising from bone marrow cells. Normal bone marrow contains immature cells (including hematopoietic stem cells) that produce mature blood cells including red blood cells (carry oxygen), white blood cells (fight infection), and platelets (prevent bleeding). When some immature cells in the bone marrow become malignant, they reproduce in great numbers and crowd out the normal cells in the bone marrow. This condition, called acute leukemia, prevents production of normal cells.

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