Hematologic/Blood Cancers
Caused when our bone marrow makes too many blood cells, cancers of the blood lead to anemia, frequent infections and excessive bleeding.
Common types of blood cancer, also called hematologic cancer, are leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. These three cancers form when abnormal white blood cells crowd out the healthy ones that are responsible for fighting infections. Other myeloma disorders cause too many red blood cells and excessive platelets to be produced. When this happens, we become more susceptible to abnormal blood clotting or excessive bleeding.
Although the exact cause of blood cancers are unknown, your risk increases as you get older and if you are exposed to excessive radiation or certain chemicals. You are also more vulnerable to these diseases if you are a male. See your doctor if you have fever and night sweats, pain in your stomach, or swollen lymph nodes.
Recently Answered
- Q What increases my risk for developing myeloma?
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Dr. Patrick Maguire, OncologyMost patients have no clear risk factor for myeloma other than advanced age. A prior diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) places patients at higher relative risk for developing myeloma subsequently. Black patients have a... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of myeloma?
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Dr. Patrick Maguire, OncologyCommon symptom presentations for patients with myeloma include generalized weakness or fatigue due to anemia and/or pain in the back, hips, or ribs due to direct bony involvement of those sites. Other patients develop recurrent infections since abnormal... Full Answer
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- Q How is myeloma staged?
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Dr. Patrick Maguire, OncologyUnlike most other cancers, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) system is not used for myeloma staging. Historically, the Durie-Salmon staging system has been used. This system is based on multiple factors,... Full Answer
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- Q What is stem cell transplantation?
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Stem cell transplantation is a procedure in which healthy stem cells are injected into a person, with the purpose of replenishing the stem cells in the bone marrow. Stem cells are immature blood cells that develop into the mature cells found in the... Full Answer
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- Q What are the treatment options for hematologic cancer?
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The treatment of hematologic cancers depends on the type of cancer, its location, and its extent of spread. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for most of these cancers. Usually a combination of two or more chemotherapy drugs is used. Radiotherapy... Full Answer
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- Q What increases my risk for hematologic cancers?
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Your risk of developing a hematologic cancer is increased if you have one or more of the risk factors identified for these disorders. The risk factors generally depend on the type of cancer, but being older is a factor that is common to almost all... Full Answer
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- Q What causes hematologic cancers?
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Hematologic cancers, like all malignant disorders, are caused by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells arise from normal cells that have undergone a change, making them unable to respond to normal control mechanisms that limit... Full Answer
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- Q How do I manage my hematologic cancer on a daily basis?
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How you manage your hematologic cancer on a daily basis depends to a large extent on the type of cancer, how much the cancer has spread, and the therapy that you have received. You should be aware of the possibility of feeling weak or tired and take... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my hematologic cancer symptoms?
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If you have symptoms of hematologic cancer, you should contact your doctor. Hematologic cancers are very serious disorders, and early diagnosis with prompt, appropriate treatment will improve your chances of being survival. Survival rates in the last 30... Full Answer
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- Q How are hematologic cancers diagnosed?
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The diagnosis of hematologic cancer is often suspected by symptoms or findings on physical examination. These symptoms indicate the presence of excessive cells in the bone marrow or lymphatic system (for example, bone pain and enlarged lymph nodes) or... Full Answer
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