Blood cancers. Leukemia is a cancer of the body’s blood-forming cells, including the lymphatic system and bone marrow. There are several types of leukemia.

Leukemia.

 

Overview

Leukemia is a cancer of the body’s blood-forming cells, including the lymphatic system and bone marrow. There are several types of leukemia. The most common type begins in the bone marrow and affects white blood cells, but other blood cells may be affected too. Certain forms of leukemia are more common in children than adults, and leukemia is responsible for approximately one out of every three cases of childhood cancer. Some types of leukemia are acute, which means they develop quickly. Others are chronic, meaning they progress slowly over time.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms may vary depending on the type of leukemia, but common signs include:

  • Persistent fatigue and a feeling of weakness
  • Fever and/or chills
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Easy or excessive bruising, especially with tiny red spots called petechiae present
  • Frequent, heavy nosebleeds
  • Bone pain
  • Unexplained weight loss

 

Treatment

The course of treatment depends on the type of leukemia diagnosed. Acute types of leukemia are most common in children and include acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Early detection and treatment are very important. Common treatment options for leukemia include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Radiation
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Clinical trials
  • CAR-T cell therapy

 

 

Lymphoma.

 

Overview

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus gland. The lymphatic system acts as one of your body’s best germ-fighting defenses. There are several types of lymphoma. The two most common subtypes are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

 

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of lymphoma vary with the type and severity. Common symptoms include:

  • Painless swollen lymph nodes in your armpit, neck, or groin
  • Unexplained fever or night sweats
  • Ongoing feelings of fatigue or weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Itchy skin

 

Treatment

Options for treatment depend on the type and severity as well, but may include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immune therapy
  • CAR-T cell therapy
  • Active surveillance/monitoring – lymphoma can be very slow-growing, and you and your doctor may decide to monitor your symptoms until lymphoma interferes with your daily life

 

 

Multiple myeloma.

 

Overview

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that forms in plasma in your bone marrow. Plasma cells normally help your body recognize and fight an infection by creating antibodies, but multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to build up in your bone marrow and create abnormal proteins instead.

 

Symptoms

In the early stages of multiple myeloma, there may be no signs. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • Bone pain, especially in the spine or chest
  • Nausea or loss of appetite
  • Persistent fatigue, mental fog, or confusion
  • Weakness or numbness in your legs
  • Frequent infections
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Excessive thirst

 

Treatment

Sometimes multiple myeloma doesn’t cause any symptoms or require any immediate treatment. Regular monitoring may be all that is needed. However, if you are experiencing symptoms or the disease is showing signs of progression, treatment might include:

  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Corticosteroids
  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Radiation therapy

 

Myelodysplastic syndromes.

 

Overview

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are conditions that occur when the blood cells formed within your body’s bone marrow are abnormal or don’t work the way they should. Typically, blood cells are formed in the bone marrow and subsequently mature as they are released into the blood stream. In MDS, the normal cells die before they are released into the blood stream or shortly afterward. Over time, the abnormal cells may outnumber healthy ones. The syndromes are classified by the type of blood cell affected, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms may not be present in the early stages of MDS. When signs and symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Fatigue and shortness of breath
  • Easy bleeding or bruising, especially with tiny reddish-purple spots called petechiae
  • Looking unusually pale, which may indicate a low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • Frequent infections

 

Treatments

There is no cure for MDS, but treatment may help slow the progression, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications. Clinical trials are ongoing. Treatments may include:

  • Blood transfusion
  • Medication
  • Bone marrow transplant

 

Myeloproliferative neoplasms.

 

Overview

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPLs) are disorders affecting the bone marrow and blood cells. These disorders include primary myelofibrosis (the most aggressive subtype), polycythemia vera (the most common), essential thrombocytopenia, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, and systemic mastocytosis. They affect all ages and have no known cause and a wide range of outcomes and treatment options. MPNs may progress slowly and require little treatment or management, but sometimes they can develop into acute myeloid leukemia, so it is important to talk to your doctor and monitor the disease.

 

Symptoms

MPNs may not have signs or symptoms, especially early in the disease. If they are present, symptoms can vary based on the type of MPN and may include:

  • Fatigue and shortness of breath
  • Easy bleeding or bruising, especially with tiny reddish-purple spots called petechiae
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Night sweats
  • Fever
  • Headache

 

Treatments

Treatment is typically aimed at slowing the progression of MDN, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications. These treatment options may include:

  • Medication
  • Blood or platelet transfusion
  • Radiation
  • Stem cell therapy
  • Surgical removal of the spleen
  • Growth factors
  • Phlebotomy

 

 

Amyloidosis.

 

Overview

Amyloidosis is a rare disease where an abnormal protein called amyloid builds up in your organs and interferes with their functioning. There are several types of amyloidosis – some are hereditary, while others may be caused by inflammatory conditions or dialysis.  Many varieties affect multiple organs, but some only occur in one part of the body. Affected organs can include the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, digestive tract, and nervous system. It may occur in tandem with other diseases.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms of amyloidosis may not present until the disease is advanced. Signs and symptoms will depend upon which part of the body is affected, and may include:

  • Swelling of your legs and ankles
  • Severe fatigue and shortness of breath
  • Unexplained weight loss and diarrhea
  • Pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Swelling of the tongue
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Purplish patches around the eyes

 

Treatments

While there is no cure for amyloidosis, treatment may control symptoms and reduce further amyloid protein production. If the amyloidosis is due to another disease, treating the underlying condition may help. Treatment options may include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapies
  • Heart medication
  • Autologous blood stem cell transplant
  • Organ transplant
  • Dialysis

 

 

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia.

 

Overview

Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia is a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that causes your bone marrow to produce an excess amount of abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out healthy blood cells and produce a protein that builds up in the blood, impairing blood flow and causing complications.

 

Symptoms

  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Changes in vision
  • Confusion
  • Numbness in hands or feet

 

Treatments

If proteins are in your blood but you aren’t experiencing any symptoms, monitoring the condition may be the best approach. If you are exhibiting signs and symptoms of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia, treatment options may include:

  • Plasma exchange
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Biological therapies
  • Clinical trials

 

Aplastic anemia.

 

Overview

Aplastic anemia is a disease that damages your stem cells in your bone marrow and causes your body to stop making enough new blood cells. The most common cause of aplastic anemia is autoimmune, where your body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the stem cells in your bone marrow. Aplastic anemia can cause extreme fatigue, infections, and uncontrolled bleeding. This rare condition can develop slowly or appear suddenly and can affect any age group. It may be short-lived or could become chronic.

 

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms may vary in severity and could include:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Pale skin or rash
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Fever

 

Treatments

Treatment for aplastic anemia will depend on your symptoms and the severity of the condition. Treatment options may include:

  • Red blood cell or platelet transfusions
  • Stem cell transplant
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Bone marrow stimulants
  • Antibiotics and antivirals