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Leukemia Center - Council Bluffs, IA

Council Bluffs Oncologist Doctors for Leukemia

Type 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

Council Bluffs, Iowa

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Leukemia

What 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 help fight infection. There are several types of white blood cells.


Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body.


Platelets help form blood clots that control bleeding.

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:

  • A myeloid stem cell matures into a myeloid blast. The blast can form a red blood cell, platelets, or one of several types of white blood cells.
  • A lymphoid stem cell matures into a lymphoid blast. The blast can form one of several types of white blood cells, such as B cells or T cells.

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 Leukemia

Swollen Lymph Nodes »

What 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...

Emergency Contact for Council Bluffs

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Council Bluffs Hospitals *

Alegent Health Mercy Hospital Council Bluffs
800 Mercy Dr
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712)328-5000

Jennie Edmundson Hospital
933 E Pierce St
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712)396-6000

Boys Town National Research Hospital
555 N 30th St
Omaha, NE 68131
(402)498-6511

Creighton University Medical Center
601 N 30th St
Omaha, NE 68131
(402)449-4000

Douglas County Healthcare Center
4102 Woolworth Ave
Omaha, NE 68105
(402)444-7000

The Nebraska Medical Center Clarkson Tower
4350 Dewey Ave
Omaha, NE 68198
(402)559-4000

The Nebraska Medical Center University Tower
4400 Emile St
Omaha, NE 68198
(402)559-4000

VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System Omaha Division
4101 Woolworth Ave
Omaha, NE 68105
(402)346-8800

Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center
7500 Mercy Rd
Omaha, NE 68124
(402)398-6060

Children's Hospital
8200 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68114
(402)955-5400

Nebraska Methodist Hospital
8303 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68114
(402)354-4000

Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center
6901 N 72nd St
Omaha, NE 68122
(402)572-2121

Alegent Health Midlands Community Hospital
11111 S 84th St
Papillion, NE 68046
(402)593-3000

Select Specialty Hospital Omaha South
11111 S 84th St
Papillion, NE 68046
(402)898-2700

Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital
2808 S 143rd Plz
Omaha, NE 68144
(402)637-0600

Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital
16901 Lakeside Hills Ct
Omaha, NE 68130
(402)717-8000

Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital
631 N 8th St
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712)642-2784

Memorial Community Hospital
810 N 22nd St
Blair, NE 68008
(402)426-2182

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