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Blood Cancers: A Quick Look
Blood cancers: A quick look
“Blood cancers” is an umbrella term for cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system. They can affect any of the three main components of blood: Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The three main types of blood cancers are leukaemia, lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s) and myeloma.
Types of Cancer | Rank of common blood cancers worldwide in 2018 | New cases diagnosed worldwide in 2018 |
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma | 11 | 509,590 |
Leukaemia | 13 | 437,033 |
Myeloma | 22 | 159,985 |
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma | 26 | 79,990 |
Source: World Cancer Research Fund International
1) Myeloma
Affects plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow and produce antibodies to fight infection.
Main symptoms:
- Pain in bones
- Bone fractures
- Tiredness
2) Leukaemia
Affects white blood cells, which help the body to fight infection.
Main symptoms:
- Persistent fatigue
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Prolonged fever
3) Lymphoma
Affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system that fights infections and diseases. Two types: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Main symptoms:
- Enlarged lymph nodes that don’t go away
- Prolonged fever
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained itching
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
Treatment options
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Bone marrow transplantation (in more severe cases)
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy