Blood Cancer

Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer, impacts the production and function of blood cells. It usually begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. The primary types of blood cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, as well as some rarer types.

Types of Blood Cancer:

1. Leukemia
   • A cancer of the blood and bone marrow, leading to abnormal white blood cell production.
   • Types:
     • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
     • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
     • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
     • Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
2. Lymphoma
   • Affects the lymphatic system (lymph nodes, spleen, etc.).
   • Types:
     • Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)
     • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
3. Myeloma
   • Affects plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) in the bone marrow.
   • Multiple Myeloma is the most common type.
4. Other Rare Types
   • Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
   • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)

Common Symptoms:

• Fatigue & weakness
• Frequent infections
• Unexplained weight loss
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Bone/joint pain

Causes & Risk Factors:

• Genetic mutations
• Family history of blood cancer
• Exposure to radiation/chemicals (e.g., benzene)
• Certain infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus)
• Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Immune system disorders

Diagnosis:

• Blood tests (CBC, peripheral smear)
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Imaging tests (CT, PET, MRI)
• Lymph node biopsy (for lymphoma)
• Genetic testing

Treatment Options:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors for CML)
• Stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant)
• CAR-T cell therapy (for certain lymphomas & leukemias)

Prognosis:

• Depends on the type, stage, and the patient’s overall health.
• Some forms (like CLL) progress slowly, while others (like AML) require urgent treatment.
• Advances in treatment (e.g., immunotherapy) have improved survival rates.