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Hematologic Malignancies

Hematologic (blood) cancers, which impact the normal production and function of blood cells, often begin in bone marrow where stem cells develop into white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. These types of cancers occur when an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells overtakes the development of normal blood cells, interfering with the regular functions of those cells. Hematologic cancers can be classified into three categories: leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Developing quality improvement programs aimed at reducing health care disparities and improving the standard of care received by patients with hematologic cancers are key priorities in ACCC’s educational portfolio. Leverage our recent research and explore practical, actionable resources that you can implement in your cancer program today.

The MRD Implementation Roadmaps initiative will help multidisciplinary community cancer care teams better comprehend MRD testing by addressing barriers to incorporating the test into the treatment of ALL, CLL, and MM.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the B-lymphocytes that may be found in the bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes, spleen and sometimes other organs. CLL is the most common leukemia in adults and accounts for one quarter of new leukemia cases annually.

Multiple myeloma is the third most common hematologic cancer. However, compared to more frequently occurring cancers, multiple myeloma is relative rare and accounts for only 1.6 percent of diagnoses each year.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), is an aggressive disease affecting B-lymphocytes. There are many novel therapies and combination regimens currently being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of both newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory DLBCL.

This project will teaches multidisciplinary cancer care teams about what they should anticipate as vaccinations slowly make it possible for them to resume pre-pandemic services—specifically for patients with hematologic malignancies.

Podcasts

Alleviating the Psycho-social Burden of MPNs — [MINI PODCAST] EP 112 May 16, 2023
As myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) carry a heavy symptom burden which can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life, hear how multidisciplinary care and psycho-social support can help alleviate this burden for patients.
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 08: Shared Decision-Making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Oct 28, 2021

Caring for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends on many factors and can vary as much as the patients themselves.
[PODCAST] Ep 66: CLL, COVID-19, and Why Patient Registries Matter Aug 31, 2021

In this episode, we'll hear how patients with blood cancer are joining the LLS National Patient Registry to increase scientific knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot efficacy.
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 04: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Navigating Uncertainty Jul 22, 2021
Three clinicians discuss their experiences with difficult conversations on the relative risks and benefits around treatment decisions in this rapidly evolving environment.
[PODCAST] Ep 61: CLL Patient Education in Transitional Times Jun 29, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes and restrictions loosens for most of the U.S., we'll discuss how patient education has become even more critical during this transition.
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 02: Myeloma Care Strategies & COVID-19 Jun 3, 2021

Three specialists in multiple myeloma care share their experiences that may help other providers and patients move smoothly through this time of transition while maintaining high quality care.
[PODCAST] Ep 57: COVID-19 Challenges: Managing Patients with CLL May 11, 2021
A physician assistant shares the challenges related to COVID-19, the vaccine, and how his program is adapting to keep diagnosed patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) safe.

Hear More Podcasts

On-Demand Webinars

Addressing Regional Cancer Care Disparities in CLL | Southwest Region (TX)

ACCC has invited providers across the U.S. to discuss the unique challenges seen in their respective regions and address how the current state of cancer care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be improved.
Addressing Regional Cancer Care Disparities in CLL | Midwest Region (WI, IL, IA)

ACCC has invited providers across the U.S. to discuss the unique challenges seen in their respective regions and address how the current state of cancer care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be improved.
Addressing Regional Cancer Care Disparities in CLL | Northwest Region (MT, ID)

ACCC has invited providers across the U.S. to discuss the unique challenges seen in their respective regions and address how the current state of cancer care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be improved.
Changing Treatment Paradigms for Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Addressing Regional Cancer Care Disparities in CLL | Northeast Region (NY, ME)

ACCC has invited providers across the U.S. to discuss the unique challenges seen in their respective regions and address how the current state of cancer care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be improved.
Care Coordination: Multidisciplinary Approach in Integrating Oral Oncolytics into CLL Practice

Oral oncolytic treatment represents a new wave of intervention by providing patients with CLL the means to self-administer medications at home, allowing patients a degree of control over their treatment.
Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models Webinar Series

Six on-demand recordings hosted by multidisciplinary faculty explore various dispensing models and effective practices in the care of patients with multiple myeloma.
CLL Treatment Considerations: COVID-19 and Beyond

Hear considerations for treating patients with CLL during the pandemic, including best options, treatment timing, changes to the usual regimen, and how to prepare for the future.
Learning from COVID-19: Coping Strategies for CLL Providers & Patients

The pandemic has heightened the distress patients with CLL face and taken its toll on providers. Learn strategies and solutions to these challenges and the path forward for providing patient care.
Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education

Panelists discussed considerations for resuming pre-pandemic level visits and procedures for patients with CLL, AML, and Multiple Myeloma. Hear wins and challenges in providing care in a pandemic.

View More Webinars

Resource Libraries

Digital toolkits offer resources and tools to support the multidisciplinary cancer team in providing quality care for patients.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Care
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care
Measurable Residual Disease Testing
Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care
Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models

Publications

Real-world case studies enable cancer programs to reflect on current practices to reduce variations in care and positively impact patient outcomes.

Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models: Effective Practices to Improve Care Delivery and the Patient Experience
Real-world case studies from University of Illinois Hospital and Health Services System, Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida, and John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, analyze and summarize their existing dispensing models and practices in caring for patients with multiple myeloma.

Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care: Quality Improvement Case Studies
The Outer Banks Hospital, Billings Clinic Cancer Center, and the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center participated in quality improvement workshops in 2020.

Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care: Models of Effective Care Delivery
To understand how patient-focused multidisciplinary care is effectively delivered across care settings, ACCC conducted site-visit focus groups at Self Regional Healthcare Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Effective Care Delivery
ACCC spoke with care team members at Yuma Regional Medical Center Cancer Center, John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, and Moffitt Cancer Center to better understand how cancer centers are incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and managing patients with multiple myeloma.

From the ACCCBuzz Blog

Triplet vs. Quadruplet Therapy: Choosing the Right Multiple Myeloma Treatment
November 23, 2022
Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Practice
October 07, 2022
Multiple Myeloma: Considering First-Line Treatment Options
September 28, 2022
The Impact of Oncology Financial Advocacy: A Patient Story
July 14, 2022
MRD Testing in Multiple Myeloma
By Eva Pan, PharmD, BCOP
July 05, 2022

More Hematologic Malignancy Blogs

From Oncology Issues

Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Practice

Key findings from three case studies highlight the challenges and triumphs in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia with oral oncolytics.
Spotlight: Tennessee Oncology, Tennessee

Tennessee Oncology is a physician-led private oncology practice based in Nashville, with 32 clinic locations across the state and one in northern Georgia- offering medical and radiation oncology, imaging, and lab services.
Mining Data to Improve Care Coordination of Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
Rachel Dragovich, PharmD, and Jan Kover, RPh, BCOP

The purpose of this study was to assess patient, disease, and medication-related factors that affect the rate of unplanned readmissions before next chemotherapy cycle or within 30 days since last chemotherapy admission in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Quality Improvement
Alexandria Howson, PhD

In 2020 ACCC offered quality improvement programs designed to optimize care for patients with multiple myeloma.
Multidisciplinary Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Care Models of Quality Improvement
Alexandria Howson, PhD

In 2020 ACCC offered quality improvement programs designed to optimize care for patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

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In This Section

Hematologic Malignancies

Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) Testing

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Multiple Myeloma (MM)