Overview
Blood disorders and blood cancers are challenging conditions. You need care from experts who devote themselves to researching and treating these diseases with care and compassion. You’ll find that expertise at our department of hematology and oncology at Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
Hematology and Oncology at Cleveland Clinic in Florida: Why Choose Us?
Our specialists treat even the most complex noncancerous (benign) blood disorders and blood cancers. We help improve health outcomes with advanced treatments and exceptional care. Program highlights include:
- Highly specialized experts: Our blood specialists (hematologists) and oncologists have extensive training and experience in specific blood disorders and blood cancers. Our team includes specialty expertise in diagnosing the rarest blood disorders and blood cancers (hematopathology).
- Collaborative approach: Our hematologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncology specialists, genetic counselors and pathologists communicate often about your care. We bring all our experts together to design a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan.
- Dedicated laboratory services: Our hematology and oncology services include specialized laboratory services focused on diagnosing blood disorders and blood cancers.
- Supportive services: A blood cancer diagnosis can be difficult for you and your caregivers. Our cancer palliative and supportive care services are there for you with information and resources. Your patient navigator helps manage your care and our social workers assist with emotional and financial needs. You can also access art and music therapies, massage and nutrition support.
What We Treat
Specialists use a range of therapies to treat noncancerous blood disorders and blood cancers. We treat:
Blood cancers
Our oncologists provide comprehensive treatment for all blood cancer types, including:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
- Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Mycosis fungoides.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (myelodysplasia).
- Myelofibrosis.
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms.
- Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia.
Blood disorders
Our experts specialize in diagnosing and treating many blood disorders, including:
- Amyloidosis.
- Anemia.
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia.
- Bone marrow failure, such as anemia and aplastic anemia.
- Neutropenia.
- Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease).
- Thalassemias.
- Thrombocytopenia.
- Thrombocytosis.
- Thrombophilia.
Diagnosis & Testing
Our hematologists conduct a thorough examination and inventory any symptoms you’re experiencing. We conduct diagnostic testing to determine the health of your blood cells. These tests include a complete blood count (CBC) and laboratory tests to check your levels of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells.
When white blood cell counts aren’t normal, your provider may order a bone marrow biopsy. Bone marrow is spongy tissue in your bones that produces blood cells.
We use diagnostic tests to determine the cancer stage and the most effective treatment options for you. If we suspect cancer may have spread (metastasized) to your bones or organs, we may recommend more tests. You may have:
Treatment
Our hematology and oncology specialists confer with you regarding your diagnosis. We ask you to share in decisions about treatment options that will best meet your health goals. We make sure you understand the benefits of each treatment and any side effects that may occur. You may have:
Watchful waiting
Watchful waiting, or observation, is when specialists keep track of a blood disorder or cancer to see if symptoms worsen. We help you understand why watchful waiting may be your best option.
Inpatient care
Certain blood cancers require round-the-clock care. Cleveland Clinic in Florida provides a dedicated inpatient unit to treat acute leukemia. You receive care from specialists with advanced training in this cancer type.
Radiation therapy
Our radiation oncology experts may treat you with radiation therapy to kill cancer cells in the blood or prevent them from growing and spreading. It also helps shrink tumors in the bones. We may treat you with radiation before a transplant or use it to relieve cancer symptoms.
Systemic therapy
When appropriate, hematologists and medical oncologists prescribe drugs that travel through your bloodstream to destroy cancer cells in the blood and bone marrow. Depending on the cancer type, you may have:
Transplants
Some blood disorders and cancers benefit from lifesaving treatment with bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant. Our experts may also recommend CAR T-cell therapy.
Appointments & Locations
Make an appointment at one of our Cleveland Clinic locations in Florida, or schedule a virtual visit.
Locations
Research & Clinical Trials
Our hematologists and oncologists work closely with Cleveland Clinic colleagues to research emerging treatments for blood disorders and blood cancers. Researchers in our Florida Research and Innovation Center also study new cancer treatments that offer improved quality of life. Search for a clinical trial and talk to your doctor to see if you may be eligible to participate.
Programs & Services
Acute leukemia
Acute leukemia is managed in a dedicated inpatient unit by a multidisciplinary team in an academic setting. Our department provides the newest treatments, including several national studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Patients benefit from the special expertise of the program’s physicians and from their close collaboration with Cleveland Clinic's Bone Marrow Transplant Program in Ohio.
Benign hematology
Our department offers evaluation, treatment and consultative services in the field of benign and malignant hematologic disorders. The benign areas include disorders of:
- Red cells, white cells, platelets.
- Hemostasis (bleeding disorders) and thrombosis (clotting disorders).
- Genetic disorders, such as hemoglobinopathies, enzymatic disorders, and the porphyrias.
- Diagnostic work up of symptomatic presentations, such as fevers, and the lymphadenopathy.
Bone marrow failure
Cleveland Clinic Florida is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and other bone marrow failure conditions. We collaborate closely with Cleveland Clinic in Ohio - recognized as a leader in pioneering diagnostic techniques and therapies by patient groups and national and international treatment and research organizations. Our physicians were involved in pivotal study that led to the approval of eculizumab for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
Lymphoma, multiple myeloma and chronic leukemia
The Department of Hematology and Blood Disorders offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for the diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic leukemia and multiple myeloma; education and support of patients and their families; investigation of lymphoma pathobiology; and development of innovative treatments.
Amyloidosis
Our department has a unique interest and expertise in Amyloidosis. Patients have access to specialists in cardiology, nephrology and neurology that are very experienced in this condition. We offer our patients access to clinical trials in amyloidosis.
