Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program

Leadership in innovative therapies

Cancers of the blood and lymph nodes are complex diseases that can spread throughout the body. The physicians in the Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program are experts in specific blood and lymph diseases. Through our Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, these specialists give patients access to innovative, world-class care and treatment.

Physicians with Focused Expertise

Cancers of the blood and lymph nodes can affect systems throughout the body. Treating these cancers requires specialists who have in-depth knowledge of blood and lymph disease processes and therapies.

The Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin uses a team approach. This large team of physicians concentrates on specific blood and lymph cancers and has expertise in a full range of treatments, including innovative blood and marrow transplant therapies. Learn more about our exceptional staff.

The Hub Model

The Clinical Cancer Center's hub model builds the entire care experience around patients. Dedicated program coordinators answer questions, address concerns, coordinate treatment and help you along in your journey.

The program emphasizes the need to focus individually on various types of blood and lymph cancers. Disease-specific teams meet regularly to discuss individual patients, treatment options and plans of care. They also monitor patient progress related to treatment.

Diseases and Treatment Approaches

Cancers of the blood and lymph nodes include diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia. Within these main cancer types are several individual diseases. They range from slowly progressing chronic conditions to aggressive malignancies.

The Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program also cares for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, a semi-cancerous disorder that can lead to leukemia.

Many blood and lymph node cancers are curable. If a cure is not possible, the goal of the Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program is to convert the disease to a chronic condition. Using a full range of treatment options and support services, the treatment team strives to give patients the best quality of life over the longest period of time.

Blood and Marrow Transplant

Physicians in the Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program are nationally and internationally renowned for their leadership in blood and marrow transplant (BMT), an innovative therapy for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

BMT therapy uses blood or bone marrow stem cells to treat cancer or other diseases. Stem cell transplantation can be an essential support to chemotherapy or may be used as a form of cancer immunotherapy. Bone marrow transplantation is an important treatment option for blood and lymph cancers, such as leukemia, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic disorders and aplastic anemia.

The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Froedtert & the Medical College is one of the oldest blood and marrow transplant programs in the country. The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) is located on the fifth floor of the Froedtert & the Medical College Clinical Cancer Center. The CIBMTR takes a leading role in worldwide BMT research. Find out more about the CIBMTR at cibmtr.org.

New Therapies Available

Treatment options for blood and lymph node cancer are rapidly evolving. The physicians of the Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program provide patients with access to a large number of research therapies.

Approximately 100 clinical trials are available.
Areas of focus include improving immune therapies and finding ways to make blood and marrow transplant available to older patients.

Every patient with a blood or lymph cancer has the opportunity to discuss clinical trial options with his or her physician.

Comprehensive Care, Fully Coordinated

The Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and immunotherapy specialists, so patients in the program start with every option on the table. Specialist integration ensures that patients receive the most appropriate care for their specific disease.

Where to Go

Patients in the Thoracic Cancer Program see all their team physicians and nurses in the "Life" quadrant of the Clinical Cancer Center.

To learn more about the Blood and Lymph Node Cancer Program or make an appointment, please contact us online or call 414-805-0505 (toll-free 866-680-0505).

Author: Robert Fojut

Date: May 28, 2008