The Leukemia/Lymphoma Centre

The Leukemia Program at Princess Margaret Hospital is a major centre for the treatment of adult patients with acute and chronic leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes (disorders of the white blood cells). The treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is done mainly in the outpatient setting.

Our services:

• Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome are seen both in the medical clinics and in the transfusion unit which is next to the clinic. In most cases, transfusions are given on the same day as the clinic visit.
• The treatment of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occurs on three inpatient units, and in the outpatient clinics.
• Patients with newly diagnosed AML or ALL (age 16 and older) are seen within 24 hours of referral in the outpatient clinic if the patient's condition permits. At that time investigations including bone marrow aspiration for morphology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular testing are done. In most cases the results of the morphologic examination and flow cytometry are completed in 4 hours, which permits a same day discussion regarding diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options. Following this the patient may be admitted directly to hospital, or if stable, allowed to go home for a few days, prior to starting definitive treatment.
• For patients who live far from the hospital, or who are unstable, direct hospital-to-hospital transfer is arranged, usually within 24-48 hours.
• Treatments may include induction therapy, low-dose outpatient therapy and palliative therapy.
• Clinical trials are available for patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed and refractory disease.
• The acute leukemia service uses an attending physician rotation.

Contact Us
Princess Margaret Hospital
2nd Floor
Directions

To make a referral of a patient with acute leukemia: (416) 946-2000 and ask for the attending on call for leukemia.
Referrals for other patients may be made through the referral office at (416) 946-4575 or 1-800-946-2285 (for physicians who are long distance to Toronto).
To contact the office of the physicians involved in the treatment of a specific condition, call (416) 946-2000 and ask for the office of the doctor you wish to contact.