Leukemia Care at UVM Cancer Center
Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow — the soft tissue inside most bones, where blood cells develop. Leukemia most often affects white blood cells, causing them to grow too fast. These cells travel into the bloodstream to other organs and tissues, where they disrupt normal function. Leukemia can occur in both children and adults.
At University of Vermont Health, we provide comprehensive care for all types of leukemia in a supportive, caring environment. Patients and referring providers across the region turn to us for our expertise and access to the latest therapies, including clinical trials only available at leading cancer centers. We also offer a wide range of support services to help you maximize your physical and emotional health at every step.
Why Choose UVM Health?
As a leading cancer program in the region, we offer:
- Expert team: Hematologists (blood specialists), medical oncologists and pathologists with training in adult and pediatric oncology guide your care. They work alongside specialty-trained advanced practice providers and nurses to deliver personalized treatment. As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physicians are active researchers, many of whom are training the next generation of experts.
- Innovative therapies: We offer the latest treatments, including CAR-T cell therapy. Our physician-researchers also lead and participate in clinical trials to aid in the development of new treatment options. UVM Cancer Center has been a frontrunner in research studies that improve supportive care for leukemia.
- Compassionate infusion care: Leukemia treatment typically involves medication infusions. Our infusion centers feature a healing environment and amenities such as comfortable chairs, heated blankets, free food and drink, massage therapy and more. Your infusions are given by a consistent, caring team who get to know you and your preferences.
- Convenience: Our network of providers gives you access to cancer services in clinic locations throughout Vermont and northern New York. We coordinate multiple appointments on the same day whenever possible to streamline care.
Types of Leukemia
There are several types of leukemia. They can be fast-growing (acute) or slower-growing (chronic). Lymphocytic leukemias develop in white blood cells called lymphocytes. Myeloid leukemias develop in other types of white blood cells and, less often, red blood cells or platelets.
The main types of leukemia include:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): The most common type of leukemia in children. ALL accounts for about 75% of all childhood leukemias but can also occur in adults.
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): A common type of leukemia in adults that can also occur in children.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): The most common type of adult leukemia. The average age at diagnosis is 70. CLL is rare in children.
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): Mainly affects older adults. The average age at diagnosis is 64. CML rarely occurs in children.
Symptoms of Leukemia
Leukemia symptoms vary with the type of leukemia. Common symptoms include:
- Bone or joint pain
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Swelling of the belly (abdomen) caused by an enlarged spleen or liver
- Fatigue or weakness
- Fever or chills
- Frequent infections
- Loss of appetite
- Night sweats
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosing Leukemia
At UVM Health, our specialists work together to make an accurate diagnosis so you or your child can start treatment as soon as possible. We fast-track care for patients when needed. We have the only program in the area that performs in-house genetic testing, which is essential for determining treatment options.
We use blood and bone marrow tests to diagnose leukemia. To collect bone marrow, our physicians insert a fine, hollow needle into a bone (usually the hip bone). Your doctor may use local anesthesia to numb the area, or general anesthesia so you are asleep during the procedure and don’t feel any pain.
Tests we perform on blood and bone marrow include:
- Microscope tests: A pathologist specialized in diagnosing leukemias counts the number of blood cells and looks for changes in their appearance that indicate cancer.
- Lab tests: We apply stains to look for proteins on the surface of cells and perform other tests to help us classify the type of leukemia.
- Genetic testing: We perform sophisticated tests that evaluate the genetic features of cancer cells to determine if you qualify for certain treatments. UVM Health is home to the only cancer program in the area with on-site genetic testing.
We may also collect a sample of spinal fluid using a routine outpatient procedure called a spinal tap. This test allows us to check if leukemia has spread to the spinal cord or brain. Medical imaging tests such as PET scans can also show leukemia cells in organs such as your spleen or liver.
Clinical Trials
The UVM Cancer Center supports more than 100 active clinical trials focused on prevention, screening, treatment, supportive care and survivorship.
Leukemia Treatment
We create a personalized care plan based on your medical needs and personal preferences.
Throughout your leukemia care, our specialists communicate frequently to plan treatments, discuss results and adjust therapies as necessary. This approach leads to seamless care that helps you or your child focus on healing.
Our compassionate nurses and nurse navigators are by your side at every step of your cancer journey to provide guidance and support, coordinate appointments and answer questions.
Oral or intravenous (IV) medications are often effective for destroying cancer cells or slowing their growth. Leukemia care typically involves one or more types of:
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs destroy cancer cells and are often the main treatment for leukemia. We typically use phased chemotherapy treatments that involve cycles of treatment followed by periods of rest.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy agents recognize specific molecules in cancer cells and attack them. Genetic testing helps us determine which types of targeted therapy will be effective. Targeted therapies are evolving rapidly, with many clinical trials focused on new medications and drug regimens.
Cellular therapy treats cancer using cells obtained from your own body or from a donor.
Stem cell transplant is a type of cellular therapy that helps you recover from chemotherapy by restoring your bone marrow. We partner with other premier cancer centers across the country to provide allogeneic stem cell transplant for people with leukemia. This process involves removing blood-forming stem cells from the blood of a donor and giving those cells to you through an IV.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is a new type of cellular therapy available for acute lymphocytic leukemia. We remove infection-fighting white blood cells, called T cells, from your blood and alter them in the lab to produce receptors that can recognize cancer. You receive these engineered T cells back into your blood, where they seek out leukemia cells and destroy them. We are the only health system in the region to offer CAR-T cell therapy.
UVM Health maintains accreditation for CAR-T cell therapy through the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. This distinction is only awarded to top cellular therapy programs that consistently deliver safe, high-quality care.
Palliative care helps relieve persistent symptoms of cancer and side effects of treatment. Our palliative care specialists deliver advanced care, including medications that help you manage pain and prevent infections. They also get to know you and your family to understand your values and preferences. These efforts help us support you as you navigate important care decisions and plan for future medical needs.
Clinical trials are a routine part of care team discussions. Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary and can give you access to new care methods years before they are widely available. If you are eligible for a specific trial, your provider will explain the benefits and risks of participating and the next steps for enrollment.
Awards & Certifications
Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy
UVM Health maintains accreditation for CAR-T cell therapy through the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. This distinction is only awarded to top cellular therapy programs that consistently deliver safe, high-quality care.
Locations Near You
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111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, East Pavilion, Level 3
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
75 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
101 Adirondack Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Main Pavillion, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401
75 Beekman Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901-1438
23 Fourth Street
Suite 1
Malone, NY 12953-1331
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Main Pavilion, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
3113 Roosevelt Highway
Colchester, VT 05446
130 Fisher Road
Berlin, VT 05602-8132
111 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
