The Hematologic Cancers Team at UNM Cancer Center treats blood disorders. Blood disorders include leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and benign (non-cancerous) blood diseases. The UNM Cancer Center hematological program has been designated by the MDS Foundation as a Center of Excellence.
Autologous bone marrow transplantation is the process of taking bone marrow stem cells out of a patient, and then infusing them back in after the patient receives high dose therapy. This allows us to use treatments that would otherwise harm the bone marrow.
– Matthew Fero, MD
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Use chemotherapy and targeted therapies to treat blood diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and benign blood disorders. Our team has worked closely with cancer scientists to pioneer genomic methods for personalized medicine.
– Cheryl Willman, MD
UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Director & CEO
speaking with NBC News about leukemia breakthroughs
for Native American and Hispanic children
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Genomic sequencing that leads to personalized medicine is the next great frontier in cancer treatment.
Treats blood disorders with whole body radiation or with radiation targeted to specific body parts that are causing pain or are enlarged. Radiation kills cells and can be used alone or as part of your overall treatment.
Under the guidance of a physician, they may give medications or injections, take medical histories, perform medical exams or perform certain medical procedures. Not pictured: Kristin Rivera, CNP
Janet De La Garza, RN, MSN, AOCN
Shari Freyer, PA-C
Cheyenne Blanton, PA-C
Gloria Darrah, CNP
Jessica Lewis, PA-C
The Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center offers autologous stem cell transplants most often for people with lymphoma and myeloma. Autologous transplants allow you to get chemotherapy treatment that would otherwise be harmful to your bone marrow.
Bone marrow is a liquid organ. Its cells can be coaxed into the bloodstream. Autologous transplants harvest stem cells from blood, store them during chemotherapy, and transplant the stem cells back into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, the stem cells find their way back into the bone marrow where they grow new blood cells.
Our Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center is the state’s only bone marrow transplant program. Our team includes a nurse manager, nurse coordinator, a social worker, a pharmacist, infusion nurses, and an inpatient team. Housed on the fourth floor of the clinic, the dedicated space has infusion bays, open stations, private rooms and transplant bays.
