Hematologist Oncologists Care for all Blood Cancer Types
Blood Cancer Treatment
About one in 10 people who get a cancer diagnosis has a type of blood cancer. Fortunately, highly trained hematologist oncologists are available in central Pennsylvania to provide expert treatment for all blood cancer types. Blood cancers can interfere with normal blood functions, such as fighting off infections or preventing serious bleeding. If you are diagnosed with a type of blood cancer, you won’t need to go far for care because Penn Highlands offers hematology treatment throughout Pennsylvania.
What Types of Cancer do Hematologist Oncologists Treat?
Penn Highlands hematology oncologists treat cancers of the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that develops in the bone marrow and usually causes rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. Lymphoma is another blood cancer type and affects the lymphatic system—part of the immune system that also removes excess fluids from the body. Another common type of blood cancer is myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, which forms in plasma cells. Myeloma cells build up in the bone marrow and the solid part of bones.
How is Blood Cancer Diagnosed?
There is no screening test to look for blood cancer types in people without symptoms. Sometimes, a routine blood test will show an abnormal type or amount of blood cells that could be a sign of blood cancer. Blood cancer symptoms and diagnosis depend on the type of cancer.
Symptoms of blood cancer can often be non-specific, which means they could be caused by conditions other than blood cancer. Cancer is easier to treat the earlier you catch it, so talk to your primary care provider if you feel persistently unwell with any of the following types of symptoms.
Leukemia. Signs of this type of blood cancer can be fever, lethargy, bleeding and bruising, night sweats, weight loss or loss of appetite, and a symptom called petechiae—tiny red dots under the skin caused by bleeding.
Lymphoma. Possible symptoms of this blood cancer type include painless, swollen lymph nodes, as well as fever, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and coughing or chest pain.
Myeloma. Common symptoms of this blood cancer type are bone pain and fractures, fatigue, weight loss, frequent infections and fevers, as well as thirst and frequent urination.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of any of these blood cancer types, your doctor will start with a physical exam and a health history. Depending on the symptoms, diagnosing blood cancer may include tests of the blood and bone marrow, as well as imaging tests and biopsy.
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - BrookvilleA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - St. MarysA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - BrookvilleA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - St. MarysA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - BrookvilleA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - St. MarysA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - BrookvilleA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - St. MarysA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - Mon ValleyA Service of Penn Highlands Connellsville
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - BrookvilleA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - St. MarysA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - HuntingdonA Service of Penn Highlands Huntingdon
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - State CollegeA Service of Penn Highlands Huntingdon
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - TyroneA Service of Penn Highlands Tyrone
Hematology
Medical Oncology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - BrookvilleA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - St. MarysA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Hematology
Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - BrookvilleA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - DuBois A Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - PunxsutawneyA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology - St. MarysA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
How is blood cancer treated?
If you are diagnosed with a blood-related or lymphatic system cancer, you will be referred to one of Penn Highlands Healthcare hematologist oncologists for care.
These oncology doctors will develop a customized treatment plan for your condition, which may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation. Your hematologist oncologist will be your main doctor throughout your cancer treatment at Penn Highlands.
Because leukemia accounts for nearly a third of childhood cancers, we treat children as well as adults in our cancer care centers.
Where Can I Get Cancer Care at Penn Highlands?
Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center, on the campus of Penn Highlands Brookville provides comprehensive cancer care for patients in a modern facility.
- Chemotherapy
- Hematology
- Immunotherapy
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center, on the campus of Penn Highlands Clearfield provides comprehensive cancer care for patients in a modern facility.
- Chemotherapy
- Hematology
- Immunotherapy
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center is the premier cancer care provider for the region. Established in DuBois in 1988 at Penn Highlands DuBois West.
- Chemotherapy
- Hematology
- Immunotherapy
- Medical Oncology
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiation Oncology
Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center is the premier cancer care provider for the region. Established in Monongahela in 1985 at Penn Highlands Mon Valley.
- Biologic Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hematology
- Hormone Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Medical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
-
Clinical Trials
The Hahne Cancer Infusion Center at Penn Highlands Huntingdon.
Services offered:
- Chemotherapy Infusions
- Immunotherapy Infusions
- Hematology Infusions
- IV Iron Infusions
The Hahne Cancer Infusion Center at Penn Highlands DuBois.
Services offered:
- Chemotherapy Infusions
- Immunotherapy Infusions
- Hematology Infusions
- IV Iron Infusions
The Hahne Cancer Infusion Center at Penn Highlands Mon Valley.
Services offered:
- Chemotherapy Infusions
- Immunotherapy Infusions
- Hematology Infusions
- IV Iron Infusions
The Hahne Cancer Infusion Center at Penn Highlands Tyrone.
Services offered:
- Chemotherapy Infusions
- Immunotherapy Infusions
- Hematology Infusions
- IV Iron Infusions
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
Penn Highlands Oncology/Hematology provides medical oncology services by board certified oncologists.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hematology
- Medical Oncology
FAQs
What are the different types of leukemia?
There are several types of leukemia, classified based on how quickly they grow and what type of cells they affect. The main types of leukemia are classified as acute or chronic. Acute leukemia grows quickly and requires immediate treatment. Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly.
The main types of leukemia are:
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
Lymphocytic leukemia affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. Myelogenous (also called myeloid) leukemia involves immature cells in the bone marrow called myeloid cells that mature into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The most common type of cancer in children is leukemia. ALL is the most common type of leukemia in children, and AML is the second most common form of childhood leukemia. In adults, the two most common types are AML and CLL, according to the American Society of Hematology.
For more information, the National Cancer Institute provides in-depth fact sheets on each type of leukemia.
Who needs stem cell transplants to treat blood cancer?
As blood cells age and wear out, stem cells in bone marrow continually divide and mature into the different types of blood cells, producing billions of new cells daily. When cancer or cancer treatments destroy healthy stem cells, one treatment option your hematologist oncologist might suggest is getting a transplant to replace them. In some blood cancer types, a stem cell transplant can also work against the cancer directly, with white blood cells from the donor attacking cancer cells left in your body.
