Blood cancer

Symptoms of blood cancers can vary depending on the cancer type and stage. Some common symptoms include:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Bone or joint pain
• Bruising or easily bleeding
• Fever or chills
• Frequent infections
• Headaches
• Itchy skin or skin rash
• Loss of appetite or nausea
• Night sweats
• Persistent fatigue, weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms or groin
• Unexplained weight loss

If you are experiencing these symptoms, speak to your doctor, just to be safe. We can help diagnose your condition, offering laboratory testing, bone marrow biopsies and imaging exams.

We offer a variety of treatment options. The type of blood cancer treatment you receive depends on the type of cancer you have, your overall health and many other factors. Our teams will work with you to determine the best care plan for your unique needs.

We also offer cellular therapy treatments through our Sarah Cannon Cancer Network and Colorado Blood Cancer Institute partnership. The treatments we provide include:

Blood transfusion

Blood transfusions using cells donated by healthy volunteers can help replace red cells, platelets and other blood components in blood cancer patients. Our blood donation center accepts collections of apheresis platelet, plasma and red cells. We are able to use these collections for life-saving treatments and transplants, including treatments for blood cancers.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is often combined with other treatments and administered either in our center or at home. Regimens are either myeloablative or non-myeloablative and work to destroy lymphocytes that have become self-intolerant.

Clinical trials

Through our partnership with CBCI, our team provides access to the latest clinical trial options. Through this partnership, we are a part of an expansive research network aimed at advancing therapies for patients.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, including CAR T–Cell therapy, is a novel therapy that helps a person's immune system recognize and fight cancer. It can also help patients boost their own immune systems so that they can destroy cancer cells. The type of immunotherapy you receive depends on what stage of cancer you have.

Radiation therapy

Combined with other therapies, radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to target cancerous tissue, particularly in advanced stages.

Targeted therapy

This therapy targets proteins that have control over how cells grow and spread. Targeted therapy mostly comes in the form of small-molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies. It does not target normal cells and is different than standard chemotherapy, which may damage normal, healthy cells.

Stem cell or bone marrow transplant

After high-dose chemotherapy, a stem cell or bone marrow transplant replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.

Our multidisciplinary team uses leading-edge techniques and technologies to get you the care you deserve. Some of the services we provide include:

• Bone marrow biopsies and tests
• Blood smears and tests
• Complete blood counts
• Computerized tomography (CT) scans
• Flow cytometry
• Genetic testing
• Imaging tests
• Immunophenotyping
• Lumbar puncture
• Lymph node biopsies
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Molecular genetic studies
• Physical exams
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Ultrasounds
• X-rays

Our cancer care team includes Master’s-level, licensed social workers who provide psychosocial oncology services. In addition to emotional support, our social workers can help identify and access grants and resources in the community. They also assist with practical issues, such as transportation and housing, and can help you obtaining medical leave or disability. Our team of social workers also provides education on what to expect through the transplant process from an emotional perspective.

You can also access a nutrition team that provides comprehensive care throughout your cancer journey. Adequate nutrition is vital, and can directly support you during treatment and recovery. We are available for pre-treatment consultation to maximize your nutritional status prior to therapy. Our team also provides inpatient and outpatient support and consultation during treatment and post-treatment to maximize your recovery.

To ensure you receive the highest quality cancer care, Sarah Cannon Cancer Network at HCA HealthONE offers two of the largest, most comprehensive blood cancer programs in Colorado.

In addition to our dedicated program at HCA HealthONE Swedish, our HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke's location partners with Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (CBCI). This is the largest full-service blood and marrow and stem cell transplant program in Colorado. This partnership ensures you have access to a host of services not available everywhere else. HCA HealthONE Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center is also home to a comprehensive blood donation center that accepts collections of apheresis platelet, plasma and red cells. We are able to use these collections for life-saving treatments and transplants, including treatments for blood cancers.

When you come to one of our locations, you become part of a comprehensive program, built on compassion and healing. We approach cancer care from all angles, addressing the various ways in which a cancer diagnosis can affect you.

Features of our blood cancer care programs include:

• Advanced laboratory technology for measuring blood counts
• Blood and marrow transplants
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsies performed under light sedation
• Clinical trial access
• Financial assistance
• Healing arts program
• Infusion services with chemotherapy-certified nurses
• Mid-transplant donor services
• Nurse navigation upon request
• Nutritional support
• Psychosocial oncology
• Radiation therapy services
• Stem cell transplants
• Treatment for various types of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma through a tailored treatment plan

Our locations

Colorado Blood Cancer Institute at HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s

1721 East 19th Avenue, Suites 200-300

Denver, CO 80218

Telephone: (720) 754-4800

Telephone (For Patient Appointments and Referrals): (720) 754-4835

Outpatient locations throughout the region including:

• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Billings, Montana
• Casper, Wyoming
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Denver, Colorado
• Durango, Colorado
• Fort Collins, Colorado
• Lone Tree, Colorado
• Montrose, Colorado
• Pueblo, Colorado
• Rio Rancho, New Mexico
• Sante Fe, New Mexico