Leukemia Center - Ankeny, IAAnkeny Oncologist Doctors for LeukemiaType of Physician: Oncologist What is a Oncologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer. Specialty: Oncology (Medical) Common Name: Cancer Doctor Oncologist Doctors in Ankeny * Mercy Medical Center  Medical Oncology & Hematology Associates  McFarland Clinic Oncology Ankeny, IowaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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LeukemiaWhat is leukemia?Leukemia is cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. To understand cancer, it helps to know how normal blood cells form. Normal Blood Cells Most blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft material in the center of most bones. Stem cells mature into different kinds of blood cells. Each kind has a special job:
White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are made from stem cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. The picture below shows how stem cells can mature into different types of white blood cells. First, a stem cell matures into either a myeloid stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell:
The white blood cells that form from myeloid blasts are different from the white blood cells that form from lymphoid blasts.
Leukemia Cells In a person with leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells are leukemia cells. Unlike normal blood cells, leukemia cells don't die when they should. They may crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it hard for normal blood cells to do their work. Types of Leukemia...Recommended Reading Related to LeukemiaWhat are lymph nodes?Lymph nodes are an important component of the body's immune system and help in fighting infections. They are small, soft, round or oval structures that are found throughout the body and are connected to each other in chain-like (lymphatic chains) fashion by channels similar to blood vessels. Each individual lymph node is covered by a capsule made up of connective tissue. Within the capsule, lymph nodes contain certain kinds of immune cells. These cells are mainly lymphocytes, which produce proteins that capture and fight viruses and other microbes, and macrophages, which destroy and remove the captured material. Where are the lymph nodes located in the body?Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. Some are directly under the skin while others are deep inside the body. Even the most superficial (close to the skin) lymph nodes are usually not visible or palpable (felt by touchi... Other Related Leukemia ArticlesEmergency Contact for Ankeny
Nearby Ankeny Hospitals *VA Central Iowa Health Care Des Moines Broadlawns Medical Center Iowa Lutheran Hospital  Mercy Franklin Center  Mercy Medical Center Des Moines  Blank Children's Hospital  Iowa Methodist Medical Center  Mary Greeley Medical Center  Story County Medical Center  Dallas County Hospital  Boone County Hospital  Skiff Medical Center  Madison County Healthcare System Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Leukemia by Our Doctors
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Cancer Risk Factors
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which irritation of the wrist's median nerve causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and the middle fingers. This condition is known as tarsal tunnel syndrome in the ankles and feet. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms and the nature of any disease that might be causing the symptoms.
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Eosinophilic Fasciitis
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Hodgkin's Disease
- Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, and painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and groin. Treatment for adult Hodgkin's disease depends on the staging of the disease, the lymph nodes' size, and the health of the patient.
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Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a vital part of the body's immune system. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, coughing, weakness, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on which type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma you have, the stage of the cancer, your age, how fast the cancer is growing, and whether you have other health problems.
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Pericarditis
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Lupus
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Down Syndrome
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Anemia
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Cancer
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Cancer Fatigue
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Floaters
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Swollen Lymph Nodes
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Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)
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Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
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Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly)
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Stem Cells
- Stem cells are referred to as undifferentiated cells due to the fact that they have not yet committed to a developmental path to form specific organ tissue. There are a variety of types of stem cells to include embryonic, fetal, adult peripheral blood, umbilical cord, and induced pluripotent stem cells.
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