​​​​As the largest, most comprehensive acute leukemia treatment centre in Canada, and a leader in leukemia research and education, the Princess Margaret leukemia program offers people with acute and chronic leukemias and related bone marrow disorders cutting-edge treatment options and access to novel clinical trials.

We offer state-of-the-art, specialized assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and access to clinical trials, for:

  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and related acute leukemias
  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and related acute leukemias
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and related bone marrow disorders
  • Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) with a special emphasis on myelofibrosis (MF), but including polycythemia rubra vera (PRV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET)

The Princess Margaret acute leukemia program is staffed by specialized physicians and nurses that deal only with leukemia. Both our physicians and nurses act as consultants to the rest of Ontario and Canada.

Patients at Princess Margaret have access to the most robust leukemia clinical trials and research programs in Canada. At any one time we may run upwards of 20 clinical trials, including investigator-initiated, company-sponsored and cooperative-group-supported Phase I, II and III trials. See also: Leukemia Site Group Research and Clinical Trials » ​

Acute Leukemia Inpatient Service

Our inpatient service is staffed by 4 leukemia clinical associate physicians and a dedicated acute leukemia-specific nursing team and is supervised by one of the rotating acute leukemia staff physicians. The inpatient unit comprises 3 on-site leukemia-specific wards with a 45 bed capacity, supported by dedicated medical subspecialists, including infectious disease, infection control, respirology and ICU experts, among others, as needed. In addition, this inpatient service is supported by a team of allied health professionals expert in acute leukemia. 

Learn more about the Acute Leukemia Inpatient Service »

Acute Leukemia Outpatient Chemotherapy / Transfusion / Supportive Care Program

The Princess Margaret leukemia program is unique in that it offers extensive outpatient leukemia treatment and support that elsewhere would require hospital admission. The transfusion clinic, which also functions as the acute leukemia outpatient chemotherapy unit (a part of the Princess Margaret chemotherapy daycare clinic) is staffed by highly experienced, leukemia-specific nurses and is supervised by leukemia nurse practitioners. It is also backed up by leukemia and other subspecialty physicians (such as infectious disease experts) and allied health professionals. The Acute Leukemia Outpatient Chemotherapy / Transfusion / Supportive Care Program is located in the Systemic Therapy Unit.

Acute Leukemia Rapid Assessment / Diagnosis Program

The Princess Margaret leukemia referral area is extremely large, with many patients being referred from distant locations. To enhance patient care, we are committed to assessing new acute leukemia referrals within 24 hours (sometimes the same day). This program, which requires the coordinated activity of a nursing practitioner, leukemia staff physicians, leukemia nurses and hematopathology staff physicians, is unique in Canada.

Learn more about the Acute Leukemia Rapid Assessment / Diagnosis Program »

Blood & Marrow Transplant Program

The largest blood and marrow transplant program in Canada, our inter-professional team of medical, nursing and allied health staff work together to integrate patient care, research and education to improve transplant outcomes for people with hematological disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, severe aplastic anemia, germ cell disorders and other plasma cell disorders.

Our Blood and Marrow Transplant Program offers allogeneic and autologous transplant services to patients. Our team of hematologists and medical oncologists, specialized oncology and apheresis nurses, nurse practitioners and other allied health professionals work collaboratively with each patient’s health care team, including consulting with other Princess Margaret services such as pathology, pharmacy and psychosocial supports where necessary.

Our team has dedicated expertise in the coordination of related and unrelated donor-recipient matches using OneMatch with Canadian Blood Services, the US National Marrow Donor Program and the international collaborative World Marrow Donor Program.

Matched donors donate anonymously by traditional bone marrow harvest or by an apheresis collection process that collects peripheral stem cells or hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) for transplantation.

Our centre includes an outpatient Apheresis Centre and in-house, outpatient bone marrow harvesting, as well as access to the Phillip S. Orsino Cell Therapy facility, where cells are stored and treated to ensure the removal of any disease.

Our physician-scientists, advanced oncology nurses and laboratory services are at the forefront of innovating techniques in peripheral stem cell/HPC transplants, including prophylaxis and treatment of graft-vs-host disease, stem cell telemedicine for remote physician and nurse practices and advancing patient safety and research.

Shared Care Program

The Shared Care program was developed to allow patients with acute leukemia, who live outside of Toronto, the ability to access parts of their care closer to home.

In collaboration with our Shared Care partners, patients will continue to receive high quality care while reducing travel pressures, expenses and gaining time back for themselves and caregivers.

Current Shared Care Partner Sites:

  • Hudson Regional Cancer Centre (Royal Victoria Hospital)
  • R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre (Lakeridge Health)
  • Stronach Regional Cancer Centre (Southlake Regional Health Centre)
  • William Osler Health System (Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General Hospitals)

Patients will continue to attend scheduled appointments at PM. The PM team works in close collaboration with our Shared Care sites to ensure that the most optimal care is provided. Typical services provided by our partners include:

  • Assessments
  • Count checks
  • Blood transfusions
  • Electrolyte replacements
  • PICC line care

Systemic Therapy Unit

Designed with the patient experience at its core, the Conway Chemotherapy and Transfusion Centre is the largest in North America, with 81 treatment areas taking 50,000 patient visits every year.

The centre offers the most advanced, state-of-the-art treatment options in a setting that considers the patient experience while also meeting the highest standards for treatment delivery and patient safety, security and privacy.

Learn more about the Systemic Therapy Unit »

Urgent Care Clinic

Rather than being directed to the emergency room, acutely ill leukemia outpatients may be assessed either in the Transfusion Clinic or the Urgent Care Clinic, which is a standalone acute care clinic with ER-like diagnostic and treatment capabilities and with rapid access to subspecialty medical assessment and care. The goals of this clinic are to improve the patient experience, promote rapid patient assessment and treatment while minimizing the number of emergency room visits and hospital admissions. The Transfusion Clinic and Urgent Care Clinic assessment approach has been highly successful.

Learn more about the Urgent Care Clinic »

https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Health_Professionals/Programs_Departments/Breast/Pages/clinical_programs.aspx
https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Education/Continuing_Education_Programs/Pages/continuing_education_programs.aspx
Last reviewed: 11/27/2024
Last modified: 11/28/2024 11:35 AM
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