Blood & Bone Marrow Cancer Care

World-Class Oncology Treatment in Boston

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) specialists provide prompt, accurate diagnosis and compassionate, patient-centered care for all types of blood and bone marrow cancers. Our dedicated Blood & Bone Marrow Cancer Program continually focuses on developing new approaches to care that are less toxic and more effective, while reducing side effects and complications.

Types of Blood & Bone Marrow Cancers

Our hematology oncologists are experts in effectively treating many types of cancer. Our experienced, multidisciplinary team treats all forms blood and bone marrow cancers, including:

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This is a cancer of the white blood cells in which the bone marrow produces too many lymphocytes that don’t properly mature. 
• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This is a cancer of the white blood cells in which the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This is a cancer in which the bone marrow produces too many lymphocytes.
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).  This cancer causes the body to create too many abnormal cells and crowd out normal cells.
• Cutaneous lymphoma. This rare cancer develops from the blood cells and affects the skin. 
• Hodgkin lymphoma. This is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. 
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types of cancer affect the white blood cells. 

We offer specialized screenings for blood and bone marrow cancers. Speak with your primary care doctor to see which cancer screening tests make sense for you.

HIV/AIDS-Related Cancer Care

If you have human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, you are at increased risk for developing lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma and other types of cancer. While improved anti-retroviral therapy has enriched the quality of life, cancer in people with HIV is a growing concern.

BIDMC has been a prominent force in HIV, cancer care and research for more than 26 years. Our internationally acclaimed team is experienced in optimizing treatment for AIDS-related malignancies in our patients who are also undergoing lifelong anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).

BIDMC is one of seven core sites in the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC), a National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trials group. Our staff are major enrollers in this multi-institutional organization with 37 sites worldwide.

We were one of the first medical establishments in New England to specialize in HIV treatment, opening an HIV Clinic in the early 1980s. We also have an Infectious Disease/Oncology Dysplasia Clinic, which offers education, screening and treatment of disorders associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Our goal, always, is to improve the quality of life. Our approach features collaboration among our leading HIV and cancer experts, shared decision-making, access to state-of-the-art treatments, and long-term and compassionate follow-up care and encouragement.

Treatments We Offer

Treatment for cancers of the blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system may involve complex chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation and/or surgery. Our specialty pharmacists help manage your medications before, during and after treatment.

The staff in our advanced outpatient hematology/oncology center have a high level of experience, offering high-quality care during more than 50,000 patient visits each year. You can expect your doctors to spend plenty of one-on-one time with you and your family throughout the course of your individualized treatment.

In fact, one of our program strengths is true continuity of care. You’ll see the same doctor from treatment to follow-up. This increases your comfort and peace of mind, as well as gives you easy access to your doctor of choice. 

Immunotherapy for Blood & Bone Marrow Cancers

Immunotherapy uses medicine to help your immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. This treatment triggers the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.

Multidisciplinary Cancer Team

Our experts discuss each case during these weekly, multidisciplinary team conferences:

• Bone marrow transplant conference: To discuss patients on the transplant list now or in the near future
• Inpatient conference: To discuss patients spending time in the hospital 
• Tumor board: To discuss biopsy results

During these conferences, our team discusses your particular diagnosis and the best treatment options for you. This approach provides a variety of benefits:

• Customizing the care you receive
• Enhancing diagnostic accuracy
• Giving you the broadest range of treatment alternatives