Blood cancers are the abnormal,excessive and uncontrolled production of immature blood cells. It affects function also. Most of the blood cancers start in bone marrow. Most common types are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Types of Blood Cancer

There are three major types of blood cancer:

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Myeloma

Leukemia

Leukemia is excessive non functional white blood cells that can’t fight infections. Leukemia may be of four types based on the kind of white blood cell it affects and whether it grows quickly (acute) or slowly (chronic).

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).

It’s the most common type of childhood cancer. Children ages 3 to 5 are mostly affected but adults over age 75 can also get ALL, too.

High risk factors:

• Brother or sister with ALL
• Chemotherapy or radiotherapy for another type of cancer
• Radiation exposure
• Down syndrome or other genetic disorder

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Mainly affects people over age 65. It’s more common in men than women.

High risk factors:

• Chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Toxic chemicals exposure
• Smoking
• Blood disorder like myelodysplasia or polycythemia vera,
• Genetic disorder like Down syndrome

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Most common type of leukemia in adults.Slow growing and delayed symptoms.

Mainly affects people in their 70s or older.

High risk factors;

Toxic chemical exposure

genetic disease

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

It usually affects adults, but kids can sometimes get it, too.

Lymphoma

Cancer of the lymph system a network of vessels includes your lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland.

There are two main types of lymphoma:

• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Most often found in people ages 15 to 35 and over age 50.

Myeloma.

Myeloma cells spread through the bone marrow. They damage bones.

Called multiple myeloma because it’s found in many parts of your bone marrow.

Men over age 50 are most likely to get it.

African-Americans are most likely to get it than other people.

High risk factors:

• Have close relatives with myeloma
• Obese
• Radiation exposure

Diagnosis of Leukemia?

May be diagnosed incidentally.

Enlarged lymph nodes, swollen gums, an enlarged liver or spleen, significant bruising, bleeding, fever, persistent infections, fatigue, or a small pinpoint rash.

A blood test may suggest the diagnosis.

Needle biopsy and aspiration of bone marrow.