Blood Cancers

Hematologic oncology experts Michael Thirman, MD, and Olatoyosi Odenike, MD
Medical oncologists Michael Thirman, MD, and Olatoyosi Odenike, MD, specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and research of hematologic (blood) cancers.

Cancers of the blood (hematologic malignancies) affect the bone marrow, blood cells, lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system. Malignancies in the blood interfere with normal blood cell production or function. As the cancer cells multiply, they stop your blood from performing essential functions such as fighting off infection.

Decades of scientific research and clinical trials have led to more effective treatments and better outcomes for the more than 150,000 people diagnosed with blood cancers each year. At the University of Chicago Medicine, we’re at the forefront of leading-edge research, the latest clinical trials and the newest treatments for leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Our patients have access to advanced treatments not available at most medical centers, such as stem cell transplantation and CAR T-cell therapy, a treatment that supercharges a patient's T cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Many patients receive stem cell transplants or CAR T-cell therapy on an outpatient basis, enabling them to return to the comfort of their home or nearby accommodations between treatments and appointments, rather than staying in the hospital.

In 2020 and 2021, the Center for International Bone and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), an organization dedicated to improving survival, treatment and quality of life for stem cell transplant patients, released annual reports. UChicago Medicine is proud to have had the best one-year outcomes in Chicago and the highest relative to predicted outcomes. The CIBMTR reports now serve as a benchmark for future goals. Learn more about our work to achieve high survival rates for patients.

Offering the Most Advanced Care for Blood Cancers

Leukemia

We care for more than 300 patients with leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) each year, making our program one of the largest in Chicago.

Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)

We are at the forefront of developing new therapies for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, bringing the newest treatments to our patients as soon as they are available.

Multiple Myeloma

New medications, targeted therapies and cellular therapies have changed the landscape for patients with multiple myeloma. UChicago Medicine offers all of the latest treatments for this complex condition.

 

 

car t-cell therapy

CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy supercharges a patient's white blood cells to find and destroy cancer cells. UChicago Medicine research played a key role in the development of this exciting new immunotherapy.

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A high-performing hospital for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, according to US News and World Report.

High Performing in Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma

According to U.S. New & World Report's 2023-2024 rankings, UChicago Medicine is high performing in leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Learn more
Wendy Stock, MD, talks with a patient in clinic

Get a Second Opinion

  • Request a second opinion from UChicago Medicine experts in cancer care.
researcher in cancer lab

Participate in a Clinical Trial

Stem Cell Transplant Bishop 556 x 290

Cellular Therapy

  • Advanced treatments, including stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy

Convenient Locations for Cancer Care

Request an Appointment for Cancer Care

The information you provide in this form will enable us to assist you as efficiently as possible. A representative will contact you within one to two business days to help you schedule an appointment.
 
For your convenience, you can make a virtual visit appointment with a cancer expert in the following ways:

– Schedule a virtual video visit to see a provider from the comfort of your home

– Newly diagnosed patients can schedule a 15-minute introductory Express Expert Cancer Opinion virtual session at no cost

– Request an online second opinion from our specialists

To speak to someone directly, please call 1-855-702-8222. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

 

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282. 

 
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Blood Cancer Articles

Image depicting DNA methylation, the main epigenetic modfication of DNA.
UChicago researchers identify a novel function of RNA-binding protein RBFOX2 that drives leukemia
Therese McGee received CAR T-cell therapy for cancer and is now in remission
‘We’re gonna get this’: How CAR T-cell therapy helped a 72-year-old lymphoma patient become cancer-free
Joy Arseneau shown on an outdoor swing with her parents in the background.
‘She made it’: Preschooler beats acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Barry Rapport with his dog and the Chicago skyline in the background. A UChicago Medicine clinical trial allowed him to avoid bleomycin, a lymphoma drug that can be harsh on the lungs. He
Clinical trial helps 25-year-old Chicago man battle lymphoma
A 3D illustration of multiple myeloma, a type of cancer.
Study shows promising results for triple-drug therapy for post-transplant management of multiple myeloma
Quadruplet treatment delays the need for stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.
Quadruplet treatment delays the need for stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
Jacelyn Walsh, CAR T-cell therapy patient
After years of treatment and relapses, CAR T-cell therapy helps leukemia patient
CAR T-cell therapy patient Andrew Parker
CAR T-cell therapy recipient surpasses 5-year cancer-free mark
Cindy and Scott McIntyre. Scott is a CAR T-cell therapy patient
Six years after CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma, patient still cancer-free