Blood cancer center in Denver

Blood cancer may seem overwhelming, but we are by your side with personalized care that prioritizes your needs and goals.

At Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, we strive to provide continually advancing blood cancer care that not only meets the growing needs of our local communities, but also the elevating standards of the broader medical community.

Types of blood cancer we treat

As blood cancer care evolves, we are able to treat a more diverse range of cancers and associated conditions, including:

  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
  • Amyloidosis
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
  • Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
  • T-lymphoblastic lymphoma or leukemia

Our blood cancer treatments and services

Above all, our primary objective is applying advanced knowledge and experience to the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancer.

Diagnosing blood cancers

Depending on the type and severity of blood cancer, diagnosis can come from numerous sources. While some cancers can be detected through physical examinations showing irregular blood counts, others require a combination of different tests to provide definitive confirmation. We diagnose blood cancers in the following ways:

  • Biopsies, including bone marrow biopsy
  • Blood tests, including complete panels and both liver and kidney testing
  • Flow cytometry
  • Genetic studies
  • Imaging tests, including computerized tomography (CT) scans and echocardiograms
  • Lumbar punctures
  • Urine tests

Hematology oncology care we provide

We are proud to have brought together the region’s leading providers and support staff to provide comprehensive, innovative care for a full range of blood and autoimmune disorders.

ALL care

Also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL is a cancer that causes the bone marrow to produce large numbers of "immature" white blood cells called lymphoblasts. While these cells would normally grow into "mature" cells called lymphocytes, these abnormal cells are unable to properly help the body fight off infections. As such, they block out the healthy cells that can provide these functions.

The cause of ALL is widely unclear, although possible correlations have been found with people who've previously experienced chemotherapy or radiation therapy, those who have certain genetic diseases and those with a sibling who has ALL.

Symptoms of ALL

Although ALL is most often seen in children, young adults and people aged 50 or older, the disease can occur at any age. Common symptoms include:

  • Bleeding (typically from the gums or nose)
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Frequent infections
  • General fatigue
  • Pain throughout the body

AML care

Similar to ALL, AML, also known as acute myeloid leukemia, is a cancer affecting cells beginning in the bone marrow. However, whereas ALL brings about uncontrolled growth of underdeveloped white blood cells, AML creates abnormal myeloid cells, which encompass white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

Symptoms of AML

Several factors have been linked to an increased risk of contracting AML, including exposure to benzene, high doses of radiation, chemotherapy or a long history of smoking.

Early symptoms may be similar to the flu or other common illnesses, and may include:

  • Being more susceptible to infection
  • Bleeding or bruising easier than normal
  • Chronic exhaustion or shortness of breath
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite and/or weight loss
  • Paleness (from anemia)

Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow stops or slows down production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A reduced number of red blood cells causes hemoglobin levels to drop, a lower number of white blood cells reduces the ability to fight infections and less platelets can lead to bleeding.

Although rare, aplastic anemia is a serious condition and can both develop at any age and occur for any number of reasons. Confoundingly, it can also occur sporadically, for no known reason. Typical causes include:

  • Exposure to certain toxins, such as heavy metals
  • History of autoimmune diseases or inherited conditions
  • Previous use of antibiotics or anticonvulsants
  • Radiation exposure
  • Recent history of a viral infectious disease
Symptoms of aplastic anemia

Although each person may experience symptoms differently, the most common symptoms of aplastic anemia include:

  • Bruising and pale skin
  • Dizziness
  • Enlarged liver or spleen
  • Excessive bleeding, such as nosebleeds, blood in the stool or bleeding gums
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath and lack of energy
  • Sinus tenderness

Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis occurs when amyloid proteins build up in your vital organs. This abnormal protein is made by cells in the bone marrow, known as B cells, and frequently affects the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Amyloidosis occurs either by itself, or in association with blood and bone marrow cancers, such as multiple myeloma, and is treated similarly. Although it is not cancer, amyloidosis can be very serious and disabling. There is currently no definitive cure, but treatment with chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplant may help manage symptoms and limit further production of amyloid protein.

If amyloidosis presents as an associated condition with multiple myeloma or lymphoma, then the hope is that it will improve as a result of the blood cancer treatment. Our facility is a regional referral center for those with amyloidosis, and we regularly offer clinical trials for the disease.

Symptoms of amyloidosis

Amyloidosis often has no symptoms in its early stages, and its exact root cause is unknown. Historically, symptoms only make themselves known after it begins to interfere with organ function. Additionally, signs of the disease are often varied, making it difficult to diagnose. Typical symptoms caused by the disease can include:

  • Appetite issues
  • Bowel issues
  • Bruising easily
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fluid retention
  • Internal bleeding
  • Leg and ankle swelling
  • Nerve irritation
  • Passing out
  • Poor kidney function

CML care

Also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, CML is a rare type of cancer that occurs when the bone marrow produces excess amounts of white blood cells. Most instances occur in adults, and the risks of contracting it increase with age.

While the actual cause of CML is unknown, it differs from other forms of leukemia because it is born out of a genetic abnormality known as the Philadelphia chromosome. This chromosome appears when two chromosomes in the bone marrow become abnormally fused, leading to the creation of a new gene called BCR-ABL, which indicates to the bone marrow to produce excess white blood cells.

Similar to other forms of leukemia, exposure to extremely high doses of radiation and high-dose radiation therapy can, in rare instances, potentially cause the disease.

Symptoms of CML

CML is often diagnosed during a routine physical examination that reveals an elevated white blood cell count. Symptoms usually develop gradually, including:

  • Enlarged spleen, leading to bone pain on the left side of the abdomen
  • Excessive sweating, fever and intolerance for warm temperatures
  • Fatigue and shortness of breath
  • Infections and anemia
  • Weight loss

Hodgkin lymphoma

There are over 60 types of lymphomas, but Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the two most common. Also called Hodgkin disease, Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer originating in the immune system. The immune system is often found in lymphatic tissue, which includes lymph nodes and related organs, such as the bone marrow, spleen, tonsils and thymus.

Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma

Given that Hodgkin lymphoma affects the immune system, systems can present in a wide variety of ways, including:

  • Abdominal swelling
  • Chest pain
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Itchy skin
  • Severe night sweats
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Unexpected weight loss

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer affecting white blood cells called plasma. Functioning plasma cells create antibodies, which help your body fight infections by finding and eliminating germs. Multiple myeloma forms when plasma cells develop improperly and become cancerous, quickly overpopulating the bone marrow and both blocking out and impeding production of healthy red, white and platelet cells.

Symptoms of multiple myeloma

Since multiple myeloma often does not present early with easily identifiable symptoms, it can be challenging to diagnose. However, symptoms can include:

  • Anemia
  • Bone damage
  • Changes in appetite
  • Frequent shortness of breath
  • Getting sick easier than normal
  • Kidney failure
  • Numbness of the limbs

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)

MDS is a blood disease that can evolve into acute myeloid leukemia. The exact cause of MDS is unknown, and it is both not inherited and can occur without any identifiable predisposing factors. It is possible to develop MDS after you have been treated with chemotherapy or radiation.

Symptoms of MDS

People with MDS are often symptom-free when they are diagnosed. The disease is often detected after a low blood count is recognized in routine blood checkups, or a bone marrow biopsy. Low blood count symptoms may include:

  • Dizziness
  • Easy bruising
  • Frequent bleeding, including nosebleeds, bleeding gums or blood in the urine and stool
  • Getting easily exhausted
  • Fever or chills
  • Pale skin
  • Shortness of breath

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

The other most common lymphoma, NHL encompasses a broad class of hematologic disorders of lymphocytes. While experiencing any form of NHL, abnormal lymphocytes multiply and may be found in the lymph nodes, as well as related immune and blood-forming organs, such as the spleen, bone marrow, tonsils and thymus. The two primary types of these NHLs are B-cell lymphomas and T-cell lymphomas.

Symptoms of NHL

With so many types of NHL, symptoms can be vary from person to person, particularly depending on the type and severity of your condition. However, similar to Hodgkin lymphoma, some common symptoms include:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Feeling full
  • Night sweats
  • Pain in the abdomen, back or chest
  • Persistent couch
  • Problems breathing
  • Sudden fever
  • Swollen armpits, groin or neck (indicating swollen lymph nodes)
  • Unexplainable weight loss
T-cell lymphomas

T-cell lymphomas account for less than 15 percent of all NHLs in the United States. These lymphomas come in many types, but most are extremely rare. Also known as T lymphocytes, T cells play key roles in our immune system, fighting cancerous cells. T-cell lymphomas originate in mature T cells, as opposed to a disease such as ALL, which arises from immature T cells. What can make T-cell lymphomas particularly complex is that they can both be fast- or slow-growing.