An
estimated 171,550 people
in the US will be diagnosed with a blood cancer (cancers found in blood, blood
marrow or lymph) in 2016, which is more than 10% of all new cancer cases
annually.1
The
most common blood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Starting
in the bone marrow, leukemia caused by the rapid production of abnormal white
blood cells. Symptoms of leukemia include enlarged lymph nodes, significant
bruising, bleeding, fever, fatigue, pale skin color, increased rate of
infection and an enlarged liver or spleen. There are few symptoms in the early
stages, so diagnosis comes as a result of a physical exam or routine blood test.
Leukemia is treated by chemotherapy given over several months, and transfusions
of blood or platelets (substances that help blood clot after injury.)
Lymphoma
is a cancer that begins in the infection-fighting cells of the immune system
called lymphocytes,
There
are two main types of lymphoma—Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is
actually a group of blood cancers with similar characteristics. Each type
affects a different kind of lymphocyte.
These
types of blood cancer are diagnosed by a tissue biopsy and symptoms include an
enlarged lymph node, night sweats and extreme fatigue. Additional tests may be
performed to determine the stage of cancer such as blood tests, chest X-ray, and
other imaging tests of the neck pelvis, chest or abdomen. Lymphoma is treated with chemotherapy and radioimmunotherapy to
eliminate cancer cells and several forms of immunotherapy
Myeloma
is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells, which manufacture white blood cells that make antibodies to help the body fight and
kill germs. For people with myeloma, these plasma cells mutate and outnumber
healthy plasma cells. Although there are many forms of myeloma, more than 90
percent of people have multiple myeloma, which means that several areas of the body are affected. Myeloma
symptoms are hard to detect in early stages, but bone pain or weakness, low
blood counts, high levels of calcium, or nerve pain in back or legs causing
numbness can be signs. Myeloma is
treated with chemotherapy, , radiation, surgery, and stem cell transplants.
Researchers
are investigating approximately 250 medications to cure myeloma, including innovative
approaches with inhibitors to block muted cells; therapeutic antibodies which
signal the immune system to attack cancer cells; and sequencing genetic
mutations to find better treatment options.
By Jean Cherry, RN, MBA
Jean Cherry is a Program Development Manager in Clinical Programs and Quality with Walgreens. She has built and implemented many successful wellness and chronic disease management programs using patient-friendly digital and web-based technologies.
Sources:
1.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Facts and Statistics. https://www.lls.org/http%3A/llsorg.prod.acquia-sites.com/facts-and-statistics/facts-and-statistics-overview/facts-and-statistics
2.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and PhRMA fact sheet. 2015. http://www.phrma.org/files/dmfile/leukemia-lyphoma-20154.pdf
3.
National Cancer Institute. List of cancers by body location/system. Retrieved
on 9/28/16. https://www.cancer.gov/types/by-body-location
4. National
Cancer Institute. Cancer statistics. Retrieved on 9/29/16. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics
5. American Cancer Society: Learn About
Cancer (Detailed Guide): Leukemia–Acute Lymphocytic. Updated 2/8/16. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-acutelymphocyticallinadults/detailedguide/leukemia-acute-lymphocytic-key-statistics
6.
American Cancer Society: What is
Multiple Myeloma? Updated 1/19/16. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiplemyeloma/detailedguide/multiple-myeloma-treating-general-info
