There are three types of blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an estimated 139,860 people in the United States were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2009. Every 10 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer; leukemia is deadliest among children and young adults under the age of 20.
Types
Leukemia is a disease of the bone marrow and blood. Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and makes a large amount of abnormal white blood cells which cannot fight off infection like normal white blood cells. According to MayoClinic.com, there are different types of leukemia; some types are mostly found in adults while others are most common in children. Lymphoma originates in the lymphatic system which is part of the immune system. The lymphoma cells multiply and become a mass that forms in parts of the lymphatic system. Myeloma develops in plasma cells and bone marrow, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Signs and Symptoms
Leukemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of leukemia. According to MayoClinic.com, symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, frequent infections, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, bleeding or bruising easily, bone pain or tenderness, and excessive sweating especially at night. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, there are two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin’s and non-Hondgkin’s, though many of the symptoms are the same in both types, and include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin and/or armpit; fever; chills; fatigue and weight loss. Myeloma signs and symptoms include bone pain, fractures, anemia and recurrent infections.
Tests
According to MayoClinic.com, testing for leukemia includes a physical exam to observe any paleness, and swollen lymph nodes, spleen and liver. A blood test may be ordered to check for abnormal amounts of white blood cells and to test for anemia. A bone marrow biopsy may be done to remove a sample of bone marrow to look for leukemia cells. Testing for lymphoma includes MRIs, CT scans, PET scans and biopsies. Testing for myeloma includes bone marrow biopsies, blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, X-rays and PET scans.
Treatment
According to MayoClinic.com, common types of treatment for leukemia include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy and stem cell transplantation. Lymphoma treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. Treatment for myeloma includes chemotherapy, drug therapy, radiation therapy and stem cell transplantation. The course of treatment depends on the type of blood cancer and the patient's current state of health.
Risk Factors
According to MayoClinic.com, people who are at an increased risk for developing leukemia include those who have had previous chemotherapy, genetic diseases such as Down syndrome, being exposed to high levels of radiation or chemicals such as benzene, smoking and family history. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society reports that there are no definite risk factors for people who develop lymphoma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, myeloma is most common in adults over the age of 67, and African Americans are twice as likely to become diagnosed with myeloma.
