Avi Leader, MD
Hematologist
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Areas of Expertise
My Specialties
- Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
- Anticoagulation
- Blood Count Disorders (e.g., Anemia, Low or Elevated Platelet Count)
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About Me
- Assistant Attending Physician
I am a hematologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of benign (non-cancerous) blood disorders. This includes:
- Abnormalities in blood counts such as anemia and platelets (low or elevated counts)
- Bleeding disorders, and
- The prevention and treatment of blood clots, among other disorders
These abnormalities and disorders are especially common among people with cancer. Sometimes they are pre-existing; in other cases, they are a result of cancer and its treatment. Although they are not malignant (cancerous), these conditions may impact the cancer journey and even prognosis. For example, abnormal blood counts may prevent patients from receiving life-saving cancer therapy, including surgery.
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I often care for people with cancer who have a blood clot in their lungs and/or legs. Blood clots can be life-threatening if they are not appropriately treated with blood thinners and may reduce a patient’s quality of life. Because blood clots occur frequently in patients with cancer, some patients can benefit from low-dose blood thinners to prevent clots from happening in the first place.
While I have vast experience in treating people without cancer, I have special expertise in managing these conditions in patients with cancer. My job is to make sure that the blood disorders that cancer and its treatment can cause don’t impact a person’s cancer care or quality of life. This allows our patients and their world-leading providers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to focus on curing cancer.
When I meet with patients, I not only try to put myself in their shoes, but also try to understand their unique values and preferences. I am a strong believer in shared decision-making. This means that in addition to providing my professional opinion, I take the time to explain the disorder and the pros and cons of all the therapeutic options. This enables us to make a shared decision regarding the treatment path that best fits the patient.
In addition to caring for patients with benign blood disorders, I study the treatment of clots in people with cancer who are at high risk of bleeding from blood thinners, such as patients with brain cancer and low platelet counts. I have led and published multinational studies in this field. I am also developing a strategy to prevent blood clots in certain types of blood cancers. I currently serve as a Co-Chair of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Inc.’s (ISTH) subcommittee on hemostasis and thrombosis. Through research and leadership in professional organizations dedicated to thrombosis, I hope to improve the prevention and treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis.
When I am not working, I can be found watching my favorite English football team on TV and spending time with my family exploring the parks and streets of the city. Yoga is also an important part of my lifestyle, giving me balance, focus, and energy.
A hematologist (HEE-muh-TAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in blood disorders.
My Specialties
- Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
- Anticoagulation
- Blood Count Disorders (e.g., Anemia, Low or Elevated Platelet Count)
Education
- MD, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School
Residencies
- Internal Medicine, Meir Medical Center (Tel Aviv University)
Fellowships
- Hematology, Rabin Medical Center (Tel Aviv University)
Insurance Information
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In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
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New Patients
Current Patients
Contact and Location
Dr. Leader sees patients at two locations.
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Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Soff G, Leader A, Al-Samkari H, Falanga A, Maraveyas A, Sanfilippo K, Wang TF, Zwicker J. Management of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia: guidance from the ISTH Subcommittee on Hemostasis and Malignancy. J Thromb Haemost. 2023 Oct 11:S1538-7836(23)00734-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.09.031. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37827380.
Leader A, Mendelson Cohen N, Afek S, Jaschek R, Frajman A, Itzhaki Ben Zadok O, Raanani P, Lishner M, Spectre G. Arterial Thromboembolism in Patients With AF and CHA2DS2-VASc Score 0-2 With and Without Cancer. JACC CardioOncol. 2023 Jan 17;5(2):174-185. doi: 10.1016/j.jaccao.2022.08.014. PMID: 37144112; PMCID: PMC10152191.
Falanga A, Leader A, Ambaglio C, Bagoly Z, Castaman G, Elalamy I, Lecumberri R, Niessner A, Pabinger I, Szmit S, Trinchero A, Ten Cate H, Rocca B. EHA Guidelines on Management of Antithrombotic Treatments in Thrombocytopenic Patients With Cancer. Hemasphere. 2022 Jul 13;6(8):e750. doi: 10.1097/HS9.0000000000000750. PMID: 35924068; PMCID: PMC9281983.
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Leader A, Dagan N, Barda N, Goldberg I, Raanani P, Spectre G, Balicer R, Gafter-Gvili A. Previously undiagnosed cancer in patients with arterial thrombotic events - A population-based cohort study. J Thromb Haemost. 2022 Mar;20(3):635-647. doi: 10.1111/jth.15600. Epub 2021 Dec 8. PMID: 34818468.
Leader A, Hamulyák EN, Carney BJ, Avrahami M, Knip JJ, Rozenblatt S, Beenen LFM, Yust-Katz S, Icht O, Coppens M, Raanani P, Middeldorp S, Büller HR, Zwicker JI, Spectre G. Intracranial hemorrhage with direct oral anticoagulants in patients with brain metastases. Blood Adv. 2020 Dec 22;4(24):6291-6297. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003238. PMID: 33351124; PMCID: PMC7756985.
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Leader’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
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