Blood cancer is a term that includes leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes. These cancers start in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissue, with a new blood cancer being diagnosed every four minutes, says the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. While the exact cause of every diagnosis may not be known, there are some identified factors that cause blood cancer.
Changes in B Cells
According to MayoClinic.com, a main cause of Hodgkin's lymphoma is abnormal B cells. B cells are immune system cells that help the body fight off infection; they typically work with T cells, another type of immune system cell. When B cells become abnormal, they enlarge and are called Reed-Sternberg cells, a hallmark of Hodgkin's lymphoma. These types of cells do not die; they continue to mutate and change, as well as produce other abnormal cells. In multiple myeloma, B cells do not develop into normal plasma cells but instead mutate into myeloma cells. The exact reason for this is not known, says the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Genetic Risk Factors
There are genetic risk factors for several kinds of leukemia; having these risk factors does not necessarily mean an individual will develop a disease, but simply increases the risk. The American Cancer Society states that some genetic diseases cause changes in the immune system that predispose an individual to leukemia. These diseases include Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Down syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. The genetic risk is evident in families; siblings of individuals with leukemia are at increased risk of developing the cancer and, according to the American Cancer Society, if one twin develops leukemia, the identical twin has a 20 percent chance of developing the illness.
DNA Mutations
DNA changes that lead to blood cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma are usually acquired, says the American Cancer Society, as opposed to inherited. These mutations can occur from exposure to radiation, chemicals or infections. Oncogenes are genes that increase the rate of cell division and can lead to cancer, and tumor suppressor genes are genes that help slow cell division or cause cell death. Mutations in either of these genes can lead to the development of blood cancers.
Bone Marrow Problems
In a blood cancer like myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, the bone marrow stops making normal blood cells, says the National Marrow Donor program. Many times the original injury to the bone marrow is unknown, but may be caused by exposure to radiation or chemicals. Red or white blood cells or platelets may be affected, causing immature blood cells called blasts to be made. These immature cells do not function like mature cells, and do not mature into healthy cells. These blasts crowd out any room for healthy cells and cause disease.
