Josephine Ford Cancer Center hematologists and medical oncologists provide diagnosis and management for the full range of hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Our hematologic oncologists have a combined experience of more than 50 years. They are frequently called upon to provide second opinions in particularly complex or unusual cases.

Systemic therapy is required for the hematologic malignancies. Treatments include proven and experimental chemotherapy, biologic response modifier therapy and autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Although most of these therapies are administered on an outpatient basis, the Department of Hematology Oncology has a dedicated inpatient unit at Henry Ford Hospital. Used primarily for patients with leukemia and those being treated by bone marrow transplantation, it provides the optimal setting for careful monitoring of patients undergoing innovative treatments.

Every new case is discussed at a bimonthly Hematology Conference to determine the appropriate treatment plan. The hematologists, pathologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists attend these meetings.

An exciting array of clinical trials is available that offer patients the opportunity to be treated with state-of-the-art chemotherapy agents and biologics such as cytokines and growth response modifiers. Current protocols include:

• A new drug for chronic lymphocytic leukemia;
• Monoclonal antibodies in lymphoma, and
• Treatment for multidrug-resistant leukemia.

In addition to these in-house trials, our hematologists participate in many significant Southwest Oncology Group trials related to hematologic malignancies.

For the convenience of our patients, chemotherapy services are available at designated Henry Ford Medical Centers in addition to Henry Ford Hospital.

The Cytogenetics Laboratory, in the Department of Medical Genetics, is a major reference laboratory for hematology and oncology chromosome and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization studies.

Josephine Ford Cancer Center Cytogenetics is a Southwest Oncology Group reference laboratory, and Children's Cancer Study Group participant.

For more information on the Josephine Ford Cancer Center or to schedule an appointment, call 1-888-734-JFCC (5322).