Urgent care vs. the ER: How to know where to go
June 11, 2026
Visit the ER for serious illness or injuries when you need emergency care. Visit urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day care.
Advanced care for blood cancer and blood disorders in Illinois
Get the care you need at Ascension Illinois Cancer Care in Chicago from experienced medical oncologists-hematologists.
Advanced care for blood cancer and blood disorders in Illinois
Get the care you need from experienced medical oncologists-hematologists at Ascension Illinois in Chicago
Understanding blood cancer and blood disorders
When you choose an Ascension Illinois Cancer Care in Chicagoland, you get a team of experienced, compassionate doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating blood cancers and blood disorders. Our care teams share best practices and the latest advances in cancer treatment and research — bringing advanced cancer care close to home.
Every appointment with your hematology-oncology team starts with a conversation focused on you. Your doctor takes time to answer your questions, understand your needs and get to know you in order to create a personalized cancer care plan. And with a plan, comes hope. We help you navigate your care at every step, connecting you with the services and support you need. Our goal is to help you get back to your everyday life, sooner.
Infusion therapy customized for your care plan
If infusion therapy is recommended as part of your treatment plan for blood cancer or a blood disorder, you’ll receive intravenous (IV) therapy from a team of highly trained nurses and pharmacists.
Chemotherapy and other medications and fluids can be delivered at our infusion centers, through a portable infusion pump or at home by a home health care team (see Ascension at Home).
Your care team pays close attention to how you’re feeling and helps you manage symptoms between treatments. Before each treatment session, your oncologist checks your bloodwork so your medications can be tailored to your current condition and overall care plan.
Types of blood cancer and blood disorders
Your doctor and care team explain your diagnosis and help you understand how your care plan is personalized for your condition. The most common types of blood cancer in adults include:
- Leukemia: A term for many types of blood and blood tissue cancers that stem from your body having issues making healthy blood cells
- Lymphoma: Cancer that affects your immune system and lymphatic system, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma: Cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, which are a type of white blood cell
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS): Also known as pre-leukemia, a blood disorder in which blood cells don’t work properly. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 cases can develop into cancer of the bone marrow, or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN): Chronic blood cancers that begin in the bone marrow and may progress over time
Our hematology-oncology specialists also diagnose and treat noncancerous blood disorders, including anemia, hemophilia and blood clots.
How we diagnose blood cancer and blood disorders
Across our national network, you have access to the latest diagnostic testing and treatment options for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood conditions. Your care team works together to provide blood tests, imaging and other specialized testing to diagnose and monitor blood cancer and blood disorders.
Your doctor may recommend:
A blood clotting test helps diagnose bleeding and clotting disorders.
A bone marrow aspiration or biopsy collects a small sample of bone marrow fluid or tissue, often from the back of the hipbone. The sample is checked for the number, size and maturity of blood cells, as well as abnormal cells.
A complete blood count is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and help detect conditions such as anemia, infection and leukemia.
A CBC with white cell differential measures different types of white blood cells and can help evaluate infection, inflammation and some blood disorders.
This test examines chromosomes to identify genetic changes in blood or bone marrow cells.
Blood tests can provide important information about your health and may help confirm or rule out certain blood disorders or cancers.
Genetic testing may help you and your doctor better understand your risk for certain cancers. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, your doctor may recommend genetic pathology testing to identify changes in cancer cells or tumor growth that may affect treatment decisions.
Call to schedule an appointment:
- Bartlett: 847-755-3273
- Chicago: 773-665-8070
- Elk Grove Village: 847-952-7929
A lymph node biopsy removes a small sample of tissue to test for cancer cells. A biopsy is often the only way to confirm lymphoma.
MRD testing can identify the presence of very small numbers of cancer cells that remain after treatment, even when they aren’t visible through standard testing.
Molecular profiling identifies biomarkers that may help predict how a cancer will respond to certain treatments.
How we treat blood cancer at Ascension Illinois
Your doctor will create a personalized care plan based on your diagnosis, stage, symptoms and overall health. Your treatment for blood cancer and blood disorders may include medication, therapy or surgery:
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that uses your own T cells, which are modified in a lab to better recognize and attack cancer cells before being returned to your body.
Chemotherapy (often shortened to “chemo”) is a drug-based treatment used to slow the growth of or shrink tumors. Chemo can be given through an IV or taken in pill form, and be given before or after surgery, or along with radiation therapy.
Cancer research and clinical trials can give you access to new treatments, often before they become widely available. Talk to your doctor to learn whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.
This type of radiation therapy uses a machine to deliver targeted radiation to cancer cells.
Gene mutation–directed chemo-biotherapy is a personalized cancer treatment approach that uses information about a tumor’s genetic mutations to help choose the most effective chemotherapy and biologic therapy options.
Our experienced specialists and care team provide medications and fluids while also focusing on your nutrition, comfort, and social and emotional needs.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
Support programs and resources: Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups, yoga and spiritual care. At Ascension Illinois sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and their loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts your body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. It uses substances that are either made in the body or in a lab to shrink tumors or slow tumor growth.
Our approach helps navigate care and support services
Your care may include imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, nutrition counseling or other specialty services. You do not have to navigate your care alone.
From your first consultation throughout ongoing care, you and your Ascension Illinois doctor stay connected through in-person and virtual visits. You'll be able to talk with your doctor one-on-one via video from your phone or computer.
Stay connected with your personal cancer care navigator and care team
Your care team at Ascension Illinois helps you schedule appointments, connect you with other services and answer your questions. When you have a concern or feel unsure, don’t hesitate to talk with your care team.
Get a second opinion on your cancer diagnosis or care plan
When you are facing a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our blood cancer specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Frequently asked questions about our blood cancer care services
Your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person — from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health. At Ascension Illinois Cancer Centers, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. When you choose Ascension Illinois, you get a national team of experienced cancer specialists, sharing best practices and the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.
We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care team can connect you to a financial counselor.
At Ascension Illinois cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.
Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.
This service requires a referral
To learn how to get a referral, call:
- Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago — UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center: 773-665-9920
- Alexian Brother and Saint Alexius CALL 844-952-HOPE(4673)
If your doctor is referring you, they can use these same phone numbers to get everything set up.
Ascension Saint Alexius Cancer Care - Hoffman Estates
1555 North Barrington Rd Building 3, Ste. 1400
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Ascension Alexian Brothers - Cancer Care Elk Grove
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago - UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
2845 North Sheridan Rd #1300
Chicago, IL 60657
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
All registered marks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Stories you'll love
After decades of knee pain, a left knee replacement at Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates helped a retired barber get back to golf with care from orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Paul S. Nourbash.
4 ways to better manage your winter blues
February 18, 2026
Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Behavioral Health therapist, Kelly Hayden, shares four ways you can overcome seasonal blues this winter.
Winter heart health tips from Ascension Illinois cardiologist
February 4, 2026
Ascension Illinois cardiologist Dr. Andrei Pop shares how harsh winter weather affects the heart, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Kelly Hayden, MA, LCP, NCC, behavioral health therapist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital shares ways first responders can manage the stress of the holidays.
If incidents occur this Fourth of July, knowing where and when to get immediate and emergency care is important.
Four summer activities that often lead to injuries
June 23, 2025
Ascension urgent care and orthopedic teams are here to help you manage your summer injury.
Salahuddin Syed, MD, psychiatrist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, treats patients with advanced depression with electroconvulsive therapy.
Creating community can help improve mental wellbeing
April 17, 2025
Sarah Briley, EdD, LCPC, CADC, service line director for adult services at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, shares five ways being in community with others can benefit your mental health.
Gastroenterologist, Bipan Chand, MD, at Ascension Illinois, helps man recover from cancer for the second time by using a robotic colon resection.
Bipan Chand, MD, a gastroenterologist at Ascension Illinois in Chicago, performed a robotic colon resection to treat diverticulitis, a colon disease.
Neurosurgeon at Ascension Illinois performs life saving craniectomy on a young stroke survivor.
Breast cancer at a young age didn’t defer this Wheeling woman’s dream trip to Antarctica thanks to the Ascension Alexian Brothers care team.
A Rockford, IL woman lost 111 pounds at the age of 24 after having gastric bypass surgery at Ascension Alexian Brothers.
Gastric sleeve surgery at Ascension Alexian Brothers helped this Elk Grove Village man lose 285 pounds and gain a family.
One-Pound Uterine Fibroid Removed from Chicago Woman
September 7, 2023
A long relationship of trust with her OB-GYN at Ascension Illinois led to the removal of a massive growth from her uterus.
Illinois woman doesn’t shy away from incontinence care
September 5, 2023
This Illinois woman was tired of dealing with incontinence, so she found care at Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates, IL.
An Ascension Saint Alexius pain specialist got this student athlete back on her feet. Now she’s helping others recognize the symptoms of CRPS.
How to Live Longer and Better with Heart Failure
August 18, 2023
On this Healthcast episode, Ascension Illinois cardiologist Baqir Lakhani walks you through heart failure symptoms and the latest treatment options.
Heart Failure Survivor Prepares to Climb Mt. Fuji
April 27, 2023
Matt is doing more than surviving. He’s thriving thanks to his indomitable spirit, his Illinois care team and heart pump implant technology.
After a fall almost caused her to give up on music, Jewel returned to her passion with help from a caring pain management specialist.
Three ways to stop overthinking and start living
February 27, 2023
A Chicago-based anxiety expert and clinical director at Ascension Illinois, Katie Torres shares ways to decrease overthinking with three exercises you can do right now.