Blood cancer
While people generally only associate Leukemia with blood cancer, Lymphoma and Myeloma are also cancers of the blood.
Here are some facts:
Here are some facts:
- Anyone can get blood cancer, at any age
- Almost 1,130,000 people in the US are living with, or are in remission from, a blood cancer.
- Approximately every 4 minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer.
- Leukemia is the 10th most frequently occurring type of cancer in all races or ethnicities.
- Approximately every 10 minutes, someone in the US dies from a blood cancer.
- Childhood Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and teens.
LEUKEMIA
Leukemia is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells, and found in the blood and bone marrow. Because these white blood cells are abnormal, they can not fight infection and make it harder for the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets.
There are four different types of Leukemia:
- Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly, and acute leukemia progresses quickly and requires immediate treatment.
- Lymphocytic leukemia is abnormal growth in the marrow cells that becomes lymphocytes, and myelegenous leukemia is the abnormal growth in the marrow cells that becomes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
ALL is the most common form of childhood leukemia, which is the most common cancer in children and teens. In adults, AML and CLL are the most common forms.
The cause of leukemia is unknown, but some risk factors include:
Symptoms vary drastically depending on the type and stage of the leukemia, but they can include:
There are four different types of Leukemia:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
- Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly, and acute leukemia progresses quickly and requires immediate treatment.
- Lymphocytic leukemia is abnormal growth in the marrow cells that becomes lymphocytes, and myelegenous leukemia is the abnormal growth in the marrow cells that becomes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
ALL is the most common form of childhood leukemia, which is the most common cancer in children and teens. In adults, AML and CLL are the most common forms.
The cause of leukemia is unknown, but some risk factors include:
- Exposure to high levels of radiation
- Repeated exposure to certain chemicals (for example, benzene)
- Chemotherapy
- Down Syndrome
- A strong family history of leukemia
Symptoms vary drastically depending on the type and stage of the leukemia, but they can include:
- Fever, chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms
- Weakness and fatigue
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Headaches
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Swollen tonsils
- Bone pain
- Paleness
- Pinhead-size red spots on the skin
- Weight loss
Lymphoma
Lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system, is responsible for half of the blood cancers that occur each year. Lymph nodes, which make up the lymphatic system, are located in your neck, armpits, groin, chest, and abdomen. Their job is removing fluid from your body, and to produce immune cells. A certain type of lymphoma, called a abnormal lymphocytes, is a type of white blood cell that can become lymphoma cells. Once these cells multiply, they can block up the lymphatic system and impair the ability of your immune system to fight infections.
All lymphomas are divided into two different categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The difference depends on the type of abnormal lymphoma observed under the microscope, but the symptoms can be the same.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Much more common than Hodgkin's disease (Hodgkin's lymphoma), it is the sixth most common cancer among males and the fifth most common cancer among females. Over thirty different types of lymphoma are categorized under this group.
Hodgkin's disease (Hodgkins lymphoma): Much less common than non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, it is responsible for 1% of all cancers in the U.S.
All lymphomas are divided into two different categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The difference depends on the type of abnormal lymphoma observed under the microscope, but the symptoms can be the same.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Much more common than Hodgkin's disease (Hodgkin's lymphoma), it is the sixth most common cancer among males and the fifth most common cancer among females. Over thirty different types of lymphoma are categorized under this group.
Hodgkin's disease (Hodgkins lymphoma): Much less common than non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, it is responsible for 1% of all cancers in the U.S.
Some symptoms of lymphoma :
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Fever
- Weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss
- Sweating
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Itchy skin
- Rash
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Myeloma
Myeloma is a caner of the plasma cells, which are white blood cells that produce disease/infection fighting antibodies. Because myeloma cells halt the normal production of these antibodies, the bodies immune system is left weakened and exposed to disease. These myeloma cells can also interfere with the production of blood cells, build up can cause kidney damage, and produce substances that can lead to bone destruction.
Myeloma cells are produced in the bone marrow, and is often referred to as multiple myeloma because it appears at many sites.
Some symptoms of myeloma:
Myeloma cells are produced in the bone marrow, and is often referred to as multiple myeloma because it appears at many sites.
Some symptoms of myeloma:
- Hypercalcemia (excessive calcium in the blood)
- Anemia (shortage or reduced function of red blood cells)
- Renal damage (kidney failure)
- Susceptibility to infection
- Osteoporosis, bone pain, bone swelling or fracture
- High protein levels in the blood and/or urine
- Weight loss