Some of the types of blood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. All these totals to 10% of all annual cancers diagnosed. These are malignancies beginning in your bone marrow. They stem from an overabundance of white blood cells within your body. Learn more about blood cancer types, symptoms, and treatments.
Blood Cancer: What Is It?
Hematological malignancies, or blood cancers, are tumors that grow in immune system cells or bone marrow.
Hematologic cancer, also called blood cancer, is a general category that encompasses several malignancies that affect the lymphatic system, bone marrow, and blood cells. Blood cancers account for about 10% of all cancer diagnoses, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Cancer blood symptoms may include fever, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes, depending on the type of cancer. Though it cannot be prevented, blood cancer can be treated in a variety of ways. The answer to the question of whether blood cancer is treatable is that while some forms are, most are not. Here’s what you should know.
Blood Cancer Types
Liquid tumors constitute the largest proportion of all blood cancers.3 There are also cancerous changes of the breast, lung, and colon, and usually they look like masses or polyps.
Lymphoma type blood cancer forms inside the lymph nodes or the lymphatic tissues. Sometimes the cancers grow from the marrow inside the bones. Bone marrows are soft, sponge-like tissues found in some of your bones. All the above categories are three basic forms of blood cancers.
Leukemia
Leukemia is one of the types of malignancy that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is acute if the cancerous cells multiply quickly while it is chronic if they do so slowly. The cancer might affect myeloid cells, which transform into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Alternatively, leukemia may start with lymphoid cells, which are part of white blood cells. Leukemia has four primary variants:4. Professional Version of the Merck Manual. Leukemia overview.
- Acute leukemia with Lymphocytic Cells
- Chronic Leukemia with lymphocyte cells
- Acute leukemia with myeloid Cells
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
The lymphoma
One kind of cancer for the lymphatic system is the lymphoma. It is that one which affects lymphocytes; it is white blood cells. Two main kinds of lymphoma exist.
Hodgkin lymphoma often begins with B cell lymphocytes.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that originates either in B cells or in T cells, is also divided into aggressive and indolent forms according to how slowly or how quickly the cancer progresses and expands.
Myeloma
Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is the malignancy that targets the white blood cells, called plasma cells, which produce antibodies for fighting infections. The count of platelets and red and white blood cells might be lower due to this kind of blood cancer.
Symptoms of Blood Cancer
Blood cancer symptoms vary based on the type and subtype. Some blood cancers may not cause any symptoms at first. Common blood cancer symptoms and signs are:
Abdominal, joint, or bone pain
Chest pain or coughing
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Fatigue
- Feeling full
- Fever
- repeated infections
- Pale skin
- swelling of the spleen, liver, or lymph nodes
- Unexplained rashes or itching
- Unintended weight loss
- Weakness or numbness
Reasons
It is believed that certain genetic and environmental changes that allow healthy blood cells to mutate and multiply are the causes of blood cancer. For instance, in leukemia, DNA is altered in bone marrow cells.
Risk Elements
Some risk factors may increase the susceptibility of people to blood cancer, but it is not known why one person gets it and another does not. Some of the risk factors for leukemia include:
- Chemotherapy treatment
- Exposure to carcinogens such as benzene or formaldehyde
- Having an affected first-degree relative
- Down syndrome
- Myelodysplastic syndrome; it is a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient healthy blood cells
- The myelodysplastic syndrome condition impacts the normal production of blood cells.
- Old age
- Exposure to radiation
- Smoking
The following are lymphoma risk factors:
- Infections, such as Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Bar, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C
- A genetic predisposition, for example, having a sister, parent, or child who has lymphoma
- Weakening of the immune system caused by an autoimmune disease or immunosuppressive drugs
- Obesity or overweight
- Having breast implants with texture
- Exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace or environment, for example, benzene, pesticides, and herbicides
- Exposure to radiation later in life
Making a diagnosis
Sometimes, abnormalities are detected through routine blood work, while at other times, symptoms prompt a diagnosis. Besides asking you about your medical history, a health care provider may also perform a physical examination to look for signs of blood or bruises, and enlargement of your lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. Diagnostic tests may include:
- Counts of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets can be determined by blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC). A high white blood cell count could indicate leukemia.
- Bone marrow biopsy: It may be prescribed to check for cancer cells. To identify the type of leukemia, tests are conducted on tissue and blood samples.
- Genetic tests: To establish whether there is an abnormality of the chromosome or gene, a healthcare provider may carry out genetic testing. They might get information about the genetic nature of the cancer.
- Imaging testing: To take an image of the effects of cancer on your body, many imaging tests can be performed. Imaging tests such as CT scans and X-rays may be carried out on you.
Treatment
While most blood cancers can be treated, they cannot be cured. There is still a possibility that some cancers can be healed. For example, chemotherapy may be employed to cure many non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and rarely, myeloma can be cured through treatment.
The treatment for blood cancer depends on several factors. The factors considered include the type of cancer, where and what the cancer looks like, its progression, and the general health condition of the individual. Some possible therapies include:
- Active surveillance or watchful waiting; that is, monitoring of the disease for any variations
- Blood transfusions
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy, which may include monoclonal antibody therapy (using rituximab), or CAR T-cell treatment
- Radiation therapy
- Stem cell transplantation of the bone marrow
- Surgery such as splenectomy and removal of affected lymph nodes among others
- Other treatments
For some people with blood cancer, joining a clinical trial may be an option. Palliative care may help relieve pain and other symptoms.
Avoidance
It is impossible to fully avoid blood cancer. You will have no control over some risk factors for your developing cancer. For example, most cases of chronic myeloid leukemia have known no risk factors. The risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia also exist in a few known ones.
However, making lifestyle changes and avoiding certain environmental factors may reduce your incidence of other types of blood cancers. It may be advantageous to:
- Steer clear of substances that cause cancer.
- Steer clear of health practices that raise your risk of contracting AIDS or hepatitis C.
- Prevent needless radiation exposure
- Stop using tobacco products, or avoid doing so.
- Adhere to a nutritious diet.
- Continue to be active.
