Comprehensive treatment:
Our team uses many different therapies to treat ALL — so every tool available to target ALL is available to you.
Locations:
Need Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia care for a child?Care by location:Leukemia. Blood cancer. The words can seem overwhelming. We understand your worry. But we’ve helped lots of people just like you. And there’s hope in the next step.
You may have felt stunned, or numb, when you learned that you have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It’s no wonder. It’s a complex and challenging condition — and you’re an adult facing a rare cancer that’s mostly found in kids. So far, maybe you’ve been down a frustrating road with more questions than answers. We’re here to help make sense of things with a specific diagnosis and a path to meet and manage ALL.
At Cleveland Clinic, we have a dedicated team of healthcare providers focused on treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Our compassionate providers will help you figure out what’s happening now and prepare you for what happens next. Then, they’ll build a treatment plan tailored just for you.
Our team uses many different therapies to treat ALL — so every tool available to target ALL is available to you.
At Cleveland Clinic, we have expert and experienced providers who specialize in diagnosing and treating ALL. We also work with many regional cancer sites to deliver care that’s convenient for you. Meet our team.
Our providers are always looking for the latest information about blood cancer and other cancers. We also have dozens of clinical trials open at any given time to learn more about how to treat them. Ask your provider if you can take part in one.
If getting to your provider’s office isn’t easy, you might be able to have a virtual visit for some appointments. You’ll get the same great care, but from the comfort and convenience of home.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
The first thing to know is that there are two main types of ALL. Each type is named after the blood cells that are affected by this cancer.
Before you hear from the experts, we want to hear from you — the most important expert on your team. You’re the one who has felt the frustration and, maybe, the fatigue, dizziness, joint pain or night sweats that often come with ALL. So, we want to know everything we can about you and your experience with ALL so far.
We know you might feel nervous, overwhelmed and maybe worn out when you come in for your first appointment. And there’s probably a lot on your mind. So, we’ll start with a conversation. We’ll talk about:
We’ll also go over your medical history, including reviewing results of any previous tests or exams, and give you a physical exam so we can check your overall health.
To pin down your diagnosis, your provider may order some tests. We understand that some of these tests might be a little uncomfortable, but they’re our best way to understand what’s going on so we can create a personalized treatment plan for you. These tests might include:
Your provider may also do something called a molecular analysis to check tissue or fluid samples for certain genes, proteins or molecules that could point to ALL. They might even do cytogenetic tests to look at your cells’ chromosomes (pieces of DNA) and see if there are any abnormalities. All these tests help us get to the root of what’s going on and plan your treatment.
When you learn you have a rare cancer like acute lymphoblastic leukemia, your mind probably goes into overdrive with questions and concerns. Finding a healthcare team that you trust to help you navigate this diagnosis is key. That’s why we encourage second opinions.
Our expert and compassionate leukemia team will take the time to go over your diagnosis and explain your treatment options. And we’ll always try to schedule your appointment with us as quickly as possible after you reach out. We want you to feel comfortable with your care. Second opinions are a good way to move forward with confidence.
Your team of Cleveland Clinic healthcare providers is chosen based on your specific diagnosis. These experts work together to make sure you get the care you need. Your providers for acute lymphoblastic leukemia could include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida. Depending on the severity of your ALL, you may be able to see a provider close to home or you may need to come to our Main Campus for more complex care. We strongly recommend a second opinion with one of our Main Campus providers.
Up until now, you might have felt like you’ve been traveling on a road blocked with uncertainty and discomfort. But we can help you find answers. Our team will work with you to build your personalized treatment plan. Our goal is simple — to put ALL into complete remission, so that your symptoms are gone, and tests show no sign of cancer.
Our providers may choose to treat ALL with long-term chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation. Adults may receive different types of cancer drugs and treatments from children with ALL. Your treatment plan could include:
The first treatment for ALL is most often chemotherapy. This is done in four separate phases, over several months or even years. This treatment path includes:
The road to treat and recover from acute lymphocytic leukemia can appear long and full of twists and turns. And even with treatment, there may be ongoing challenges to living with ALL, including long-term treatments. Our compassionate providers will be with you throughout it all.
If you have ALL, you may have been living with its symptoms and the uncertainty of what comes next. Our team of experts is here to help you along those next steps in your journey. We’ll take them together and make sure you get the best possible treatment and follow-up care. Our providers have helped lots of adults with ALL, and we want to help you, too.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia experts is easy. We’ll help you get care.
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