Blood cancer

Our facilities possess a variety of advantages for blood cancer care, including:

• Access to the latest treatment advances — We bring innovative care options, including community-based clinical trials and immunotherapies.
• Dedicated patient navigator — These dedicated oncology trained nurse navigators walk you through every step of your cancer journey, answering whatever questions you may have and referring you to the right team members.
• Multidisciplinary care team and patient cases conferences — Our team works together through every stage of the cancer journey to make sure our patients receive high-quality care and access to valuable support resources. Additionally, physicians across the Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network discuss cases and develop optimal patient treatment plans.
• Oncology Alert patient care program — The only program of its kind in the Kansas City region, Oncology Alert focuses on quickly identifying and treating those who may be immunocompromised arriving in any of our cancer clinics or emergency room (ER). This program provides special training to ER and clinic staff to identify and address the unique needs of chemotherapy patients.
• Part of the Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network — Sarah Cannon is one of the largest providers of blood cancer care across the U.S. and United Kingdom, performing life-saving blood and marrow transplants, also called bone marrow transplants or stem cell transplants.
• Staffed with oncology nurses — All of our registered nurses are chemotherapy certified, and a nurse manager, or charge nurse, performs daily rounds to ensure excellent care.
• Support services for patients and caregivers — Our cancer wellness program includes nutrition, psycho-social, rehabilitation and survivorship support.

Many blood cancers begin in your bone marrow, where your blood is produced. Your bone marrow contains stem cells that develop into:

• Red blood cells: Deliver oxygen to body tissue through the circulatory system
• White blood cells: Part of the immune system that helps the body fights infections and diseases
• Platelets: Colorless cells that prevent bleeding, help the blood clot and repair damaged blood vessels

Blood cancer causes the standard development process of these cells to be disrupted. Cancer affects the creation and function of these cells and keeps your blood from fighting infection or preventing severe bleeding.

Determining whether you have blood cancer requires the care of a trained medical professional, as many of the symptoms could easily be signs of different conditions. These symptoms are still problematic on their own, and should be assessed as soon as possible. Blood cancer symptoms can include:

• Coughing or chest pain
• Fever or chills
• Frequent infections
• Itchy skin or rash
• Loss of appetite or nausea
• Night sweats
• Persistent weakness and fatigue
• Shortness of breath