Your Source for the Most Advanced Blood Cancer Treatment
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey provide innovative multidisciplinary care for patients, with routine, rare and complex blood cancers. As NJ’s largest academic medical center and only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we provide patients access to the full spectrum of therapeutic procedures and advanced treatment options such as the latest clinical trials, immunotherapy and other cellular therapies. Many of these therapies are not available elsewhere in the state.
We are one of only two programs in New Jersey to offer CAR T-cell therapy as well as blood and marrow transplantation, CAR T-cell therapy is currently only offered at centers that perform stem cell transplants, have specially trained clinicians and health care personnel, and are FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) certified.
Our Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, accredited by the National Marrow Donor Program and FACT, has been performing autologous and allogenic transplants since 1995. Transplants are performed for patients with acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplasia, various types of lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, multiple myeloma, amyloidosis and related diseases.
Our approach to care is a holistic one, allowing us to bring together a multidisciplinary team and variety of treatment options tailored to each individual patient. Our team of internationally recognized hematologist/oncologists, advanced practice nurses, nurse clinicians, bone marrow transplant coordinators, and oncology nurse navigators, all work closely together to ensure patients receive the best care, tailored to their individual needs.
Information on Blood Cancers
Blood cancers, which are also known as hematologic malignancies affect bone marrow, lymph nodes, blood cells, and the lymphatic system. These play a very important role in our health. Some examples of blood cancers are lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, and myelodysplasia. They affect bone marrow, lymph nodes, blood cells, and the lymphatic system.
- Bone marrow is found in our bones; it’s the spongy center portion of the bone and is where new blood cell production occurs.
- Lymph is a colorless fluid that is passed through lymph nodes, part of our body’s circulatory system. We have hundreds of lymph nodes in our bodies.
- Blood cells are found in our blood—they start out as stem cells and mature into red or white blood cells and platelets.
- The lymphatic system can be thought of as a network of tissues and organs throughout our bodies. The purpose of the lymphatic system is to ensure the flow of lymph throughout the body. You might think of lymphatic system as your immune system.
What happens to create these malignancies or blood cancers? Basically, abnormal blood cells—or cancerous cells—begin to start growing out of control and begin interfering with normal blood cells. Normal blood cells are needed to fight off infection. When normal blood cells become compromised, malignancies can occur.
As these changes are occurring, a wide range of blood cancer symptoms may emerge. Blood cancer symptoms can include fever or chills, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, frequent nosebleeds, other bleeding or bruising, excessive perspiration and bone pain. Since many of these symptoms may also be present in people who are not suffering from a hematologic malignancy, it’s important to seek guidance from your doctor or health care provider.
While blood cancers can be serious, blood cancer survival rates have been increasing over time as blood cancer treatment has evolved based on research and advancements in treatment. Research by our team has helped to contribute to these improvements.
Learn more about the types of blood cancers we treat, as well as patient stories and details on clinical trials.
To contact one of New Jersey’s best blood cancer specialists call
844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.