Blood Cancer Disease Information

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. It is the second most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It represents only 1% of all cancers.

Normally, the bone marrow produces stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells. The three types of mature blood cells are: red blood cells which carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body, white blood cells which fight infection and disease, and platelets which help form blood clots that control bleeding.

In multiple myeloma, too many stem cells develop into a specific type of white blood cells called plasma cells. These plasma cells are not able to fight infection very well, and as the number of plasma cells increases in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Groups of plasma cells (myeloma cells) can form tumors in bones. These tumors erode the bones and create lesions that can cause pain and sometimes fractures. Plasma cells also make an antibody protein called M protein that is not needed by the body and does not help fight infection. These M proteins can cause damage to the kidneys.

Very early in the disease, multiple myeloma may have no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

• Bone pain, often in the back or ribs
• Fever
• Frequent infections
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Weakness or feeling tired
• Shortness of breath

Treatment therapies for multiple myeloma include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation.

[Multiple Myeloma]  [Leukemia]  [Lymphoma]

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. Leukemia is grouped by the type of white blood cell that is affected (lymphoid or myeloid) and how quickly the disease develops and gets worse (chronic or acute).

There are four major types of leukemia:

• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Normally, the bone marrow produces stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells. The three types of mature blood cells are: red blood cells which carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body, white blood cells which fight infection and disease, and platelets which help form blood clots that control bleeding.

In lymphocytic leukemia, too many stem cells develop into white blood cells called lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are not able to fight infection very well, and as the number of lymphocytes increases in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia accounts for about 3,800 new cases of leukemia each year. It is the most common type of leukemia in young children. It also affects adults. Acute lymphocytic leukemia worsens quickly.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia accounts for about 7,000 new cases of leukemia each year. Chronic lympocytic leukemia worsens slowly.

In myelogenous leukemia, too many stem cells develop into white blood cells called myeloblasts. Sometimes in myelogenous leukemia, too many stem cells develop into abnormal red blood cells or platelets. These abnormal white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets can build up in the bone marrow and blood so there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

• Acute myeloid leukemia accounts for about 10,600 new cases of leukemia each year. It occurs in both adults and children. Acute myeloid leukemia worsens quickly.
• Chronic myeloid leukemia accounts for about 4,400 new cases of leukemia each year. It affects mainly adults. Chronic myeloid leukemia worsens slowly.

Symptoms of leukemia include:

• Fever
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Bone, joint or stomach pain
• Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin
• Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs
• Weakness or feeling tired
• Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots of bleeding under the skin)
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss or loss of appetite

Treatment therapies for leukemia include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation.

[Multiple Myeloma]  [Leukemia]  [Lymphoma]

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a group diseases in which cancer cells form in the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of the following:

• Bone marrow: The soft, spongy material in the center of most bones. Bone marrow produces white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
• Spleen: Located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach, it is an organ that produces lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells.
• Thymus: The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone. It is the organ in which lymphocytes grow and multiply.
• Tonsils: Small masses of lymph tissue at the back of the throat. The tonsils produce lymphocytes.
• Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that bathes body tissues and carries white blood cells called lymphocytes that protect the body against infection. Lymph flows through the lymph nodes, as well as through other lymphatic tissues including the spleen, the tonsils, the bone marrow, and the thymus gland.
• Lymph vessels: A system of thin tubes that collect lymph from various parts of the body and return it to the bloodstream.
• Lymph nodes: Small collections of lymph tissue that filter substances in lymph and help fight infection. Lymph nodes are found in the underarm, pelvis, neck, abdomen, and groin.

Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in the United States. It is the sixth most common cancer in adults and the third most common in children. Lymphomas are classified as Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.

There are 5 subtypes of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and about 30 subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Because there are so many different subtypes of lymphoma, the classification of lymphomas is complicated.

Lymphoma can occur at any age, including childhood. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is most common in young adults aged 16-34 years and in older people aged 55 years and older. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more likely to occur in people between the ages of 40 and 70.

A painless swelling in the neck, under an arm, or in the groin is often the first sign of lymphoma. Other symptoms may include:

• Fevers
• Chills
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats
• Lack of energy

Treatment therapies for lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation.

[Multiple Myeloma]  [Leukemia]  [Lymphoma]

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