Last Updated on November 17, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir

We are dedicated to helping patients and families grasp the complex world of blood cancers. At LivHospital, we focus on patient care and offer top-notch treatments. The names of blood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), all of which affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic systems.

There are over 16 different types of blood cancers. Knowing about them is key for the right diagnosis and treatment. In the USA, about 1,698,339 people live with or have beaten leukemia. We’ll help you understand the types of blood cancer, their differences, and the latest in treatment.

Key Takeaways

• Blood cancers are a diverse group of malignancies.
• There are over 16 distinct types of blood cancers.
• Understanding the different types is key for effective diagnosis and treatment.
• LivHospital offers patient-centered care and top treatments.
• Recent stats show why it’s important to know about blood cancers.

What Are Blood Cancers?

“Blood cancer” refers to several types of cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. These cancers happen when DNA mutations in blood cells cause them to act abnormally.

We will look at how these cancers impact different body systems and their common symptoms. Blood cancers fall into several categories, each with unique traits and effects on the body.

Affected Body Systems

Blood cancers impact the body’s blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic systems. The bone marrow makes blood cells like red and white blood cells, and platelets. When cancer hits the bone marrow, it can mess up blood cell production, causing health problems.

The lymphatic system, part of the immune system, can also get hit by certain blood cancers, like lymphoma. This system fights off infections and diseases.

Common Symptoms and Warning Signs

Spotting blood cancer symptoms early is key for timely treatment. Common signs include constant tiredness, unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and frequent infections.

Other signs might be fever, night sweats, and easy bruising or bleeding. These can point to different blood cancers, like leukemia or lymphoma.

Symptom	Possible Blood Cancer Association
Persistent Fatigue	Leukemia, Lymphoma
Unexplained Weight Loss	Lymphoma, Leukemia
Swollen Lymph Nodes	Lymphoma
Frequent Infections	Leukemia

Knowing the differences between blood cancers, like lymphoma cells vs. leukemic blasts, is vital for correct diagnosis and treatment planning.

The Complete Names of Blood Cancers: 16 Key Types

There are over 16 types of blood cancers, each with its own traits and effects. Blood cancers, also known as hematologic malignancies, fall into three main groups: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Knowing these categories and their subtypes helps us understand the complexity of blood cancers.

Major Categories and Classifications

Blood cancers are mainly split into three big groups:

• Leukemia: Cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
• Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymphatic system.
• Myeloma: Cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow.

These groups have many subtypes. They vary based on the cell type, the stage of cell development, and how aggressive the disease is.

Category	Subtype	Description
Leukemia	Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)	A rapidly progressing cancer of lymphoid cells.
Lymphoma	Hodgkin Lymphoma	A type of lymphoma with Reed-Sternberg cells.
Myeloma	Multiple Myeloma	A cancer of plasma cells causing anemia, bone pain, and infections.

Is Blood Cancer and Leukemia the Same?

Many think blood cancer and leukemia are the same. But, leukemia is just one type of blood cancer. Leukemia makes up about 30% of all blood cancer cases. Yet, lymphoma and myeloma are also major types, each with its own subtypes and treatments.

“Leukemia is a major type of blood cancer, but it is key to see the variety in blood cancers for accurate diagnoses and treatments.” – Hematologist

Global Statistics and Prevalence

Blood cancers are a big health problem worldwide. There are over 1.2 million new cases every year. The types of blood cancers vary by place and people.

The global effect of blood cancers shows we need more research, awareness, and treatments. Knowing the different blood cancers and their numbers helps us tackle these challenges for patients and healthcare systems everywhere.

Leukemia: Cancer of Blood-Forming Tissues

Leukemia is a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It has different types, each needing its own treatment. We’ll look at the various types of leukemia, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer that affects lymphoid cells in the bone marrow. It’s the most common leukemia in kids but can also happen in adults. Symptoms include feeling tired, pale skin, and getting sick often.

To diagnose ALL, doctors do blood tests and bone marrow exams. They look for cancerous lymphoblasts. Treatment usually involves strong chemotherapy and sometimes stem cell transplantation.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer that starts in myeloid cells of the bone marrow. It’s more common in adults and can start at any age. Symptoms are similar to ALL and include fever, losing weight, and getting sick a lot.

Doctors diagnose AML by finding myeloid blasts in the bone marrow or blood. Treatment for AML includes chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation. This depends on the patient’s risk factors and health.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a slow-growing leukemia that affects lymphoid cells. It’s more common in older adults and often found during routine blood tests. CLL can be symptom-free for years but may cause swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, and frequent infections when symptoms appear.

Doctors diagnose CLL through blood tests showing too many lymphocytes. Treatment for CLL varies based on the stage and symptoms. It can range from watchful waiting to targeted therapies and chemotherapy.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a slow-growing leukemia with uncontrolled growth of myeloid cells in the bone marrow. It progresses slowly and can be found by chance during blood tests for other conditions. Symptoms include tiredness, weight loss, and an enlarged spleen.

CML is diagnosed by finding the Philadelphia chromosome, a genetic abnormality. Treatment usually involves targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This has greatly improved outcomes for CML patients.

Knowing the different types of leukemia is key to finding the right treatment. Each type has its own challenges, but medical research keeps improving treatment options for leukemia patients.

“The diagnosis and treatment of leukemia have evolved significantly over the years, bringing new hope to patients and their families.”

Type of Leukemia	Characteristics	Common Symptoms	Typical Treatment
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)	Rapidly progressing, affects lymphoid cells	Fatigue, pale skin, infections	Chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)	Aggressive, originates in myeloid cells	Fever, weight loss, infections	Chemotherapy, targeted therapy
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)	Slow-progressing, affects lymphoid cells	Swollen lymph nodes, fatigue	Watchful waiting, targeted therapies
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)	Slow-progressing, involves myeloid cells	Fatigue, weight loss, enlarged spleen	Targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Lymphoma: Cancer of the Lymphatic System

Lymphoma is a group of cancers affecting the lymphatic system. This system fights off infections and diseases. It happens when lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, grow out of control.

We’ll look at Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Knowing the difference is key for treatment.

Hodgkin Lymphoma and Its Subtypes

Hodgkin lymphoma has Reed-Sternberg cells, large and abnormal lymphocytes. It’s rare and moves from one lymph node group to the next.

There are several subtypes, including:

• Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma
• Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma
• Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin lymphoma
• Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Diagnosing Hodgkin lymphoma means finding Reed-Sternberg cells. Treatment has gotten better, with many patients getting better.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Varieties

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is more common and diverse. It can start from B cells or T cells. Subtypes depend on the type of lymphocyte and cell maturity.

Some common subtypes include:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Follicular lymphoma
• Marginal zone lymphoma
• Mantle cell lymphoma

NHL varies in how aggressive it is and how well it responds to treatment. Knowing the exact type is vital for the right treatment.

About 14,000 people in the UK get non-Hodgkin lymphoma each year. Knowing the type is key for effective treatment.

Characteristics	Hodgkin Lymphoma	Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Presence of Reed-Sternberg cells	Yes	No
Cell Origin	B cells	B cells or T cells
Progression	Orderly progression from one lymph node group to the next	Can be more widespread and varied
Common Subtypes	Nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity	Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma

Myeloma: Cancers of Plasma Cells

We will look into myeloma, a cancer that affects plasma cells. It’s a big deal in the field of oncology. Myeloma happens when bad plasma cells grow in the bone marrow, causing problems.

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is the most common plasma cell disorder. It’s a cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. It can lead to anemia, bone pain, and more infections. Symptoms can differ a lot from person to person.

Some common symptoms include:

• Bone pain or fractures
• Fatigue due to anemia
• Infections
• Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels)

To diagnose multiple myeloma, doctors use blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, and imaging. Treatment can include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplants.

Plasmacytoma and Other Plasma Cell Disorders

Plasmacytoma is a single mass of bad plasma cells in the bone marrow or soft tissues. It can be alone or part of multiple myeloma. Other plasma cell disorders include:

1. Waldenström macroglobulinemia
2. Primary amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis)
3. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

It’s important to know about these conditions for the right treatment. MGUS can turn into multiple myeloma. So, it’s key to keep an eye on it.

“The diagnosis and management of plasma cell disorders require a complete approach, including lab tests, imaging, and clinical evaluation.”

Source: American Cancer Society

In summary, myeloma and related plasma cell disorders are complex. They need a detailed treatment plan. We aim to give the latest info and support to those dealing with these conditions.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

MDS, or myelodysplastic syndromes, are a group of blood disorders. They affect the bone marrow’s ability to make healthy blood cells. This leads to problems like anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

This condition can really affect a person’s life. In some cases, it can even turn into more serious blood cancers.

Types of MDS by WHO Classification

The World Health Organization (WHO) has a system to classify MDS. It looks at the bone marrow and blood for specific features and genetic changes. The main types are:

• MDS with single lineage dysplasia
• MDS with multilineage dysplasia
• MDS with ring sideroblasts
• MDS with excess blasts
• MDS with isolated del(5q)

Each type has its own features. For example, MDS with excess blasts is at higher risk of turning into AML.

Risk Stratification and Progression to Leukemia

It’s important to know the risk level of MDS. This helps doctors predict how the disease will progress. The Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) is a tool used for this.

It looks at things like genetic changes, blast count, and blood counts. Patients are then put into risk groups. These range from very low to very high risk.

Knowing the risk helps doctors choose the right treatment. For those at higher risk, treatments like stem cell transplants might be needed. This is because they are more likely to turn into AML.

By accurately diagnosing and understanding the risk, doctors can tailor care plans. This improves outcomes and quality of life for patients.

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are blood cancers that make too many blood cells. This happens when the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. It can cause health problems.

We will look at the different types of MPNs, their signs, and how to treat them. Knowing these details is key to diagnosing and managing MPNs well.

Polycythemia Vera

Polycythemia vera is an MPN that makes too many red blood cells. This makes blood thick, raising the risk of blood clots and heart problems. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and itching, often after bathing.

Treatment for polycythemia vera usually involves removing blood to lower red blood cell count. It also includes medicines to control symptoms and prevent serious issues.

Essential Thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia is an MPN with too many platelets. It raises the risk of bleeding or blood clots. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, or numbness in hands and feet.

Management of essential thrombocythemia often involves medicines to lower platelet count and stop clots.

Primary Myelofibrosis

Primary myelofibrosis is a serious MPN with bone marrow scarring. It causes anemia, spleen enlargement, and other issues. Symptoms include fatigue, night sweats, and bone pain.

Treatment for primary myelofibrosis may include medicines for symptoms, blood transfusions, and sometimes stem cell transplantation.

Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia and Rare MPNs

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia is a rare MPN with too many neutrophils, a white blood cell type. Other rare MPNs include chronic eosinophilic leukemia and mastocytosis.

These conditions are managed with specific therapies based on the disorder’s characteristics and the patient’s health.

How Different Types of Blood Cancer Compare

It’s important to know the differences between blood cancers to diagnose and treat them well. Blood cancers, like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, happen when abnormal cells grow too much. Each type of cancer has its own special features that affect how it grows and how it’s treated.

Lymphoma Cells vs. Leukemic Blasts: Cellular Differences

Lymphoma and leukemia are blood cancers, but they start in different places. Lymphoma cells are found in lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues. On the other hand, leukemic blasts are in the bone marrow and blood. Knowing these differences is key for finding the right treatment.

Lymphoma cells make tumors in lymphoid tissues, while leukemic blasts spread through the blood and organs. Doctors look at how these cells look and what markers they have to tell them apart. For example, lymphoma cells have certain markers that show they’re lymphoid, while leukemic blasts might have markers of myeloid or lymphoid cells.

Acute vs. Chronic Blood Cancers: Progression and Prognosis

Blood cancers are divided into acute and chronic types. Acute blood cancers, like ALL and AML, grow fast and need quick treatment. Chronic blood cancers, such as CLL and CML, grow slower and might not need treatment right away.

The difference between acute and chronic cancers is not just how fast they grow. It’s also about the cells themselves. Acute cancers have more immature cells, while chronic cancers have more mature cells. Knowing this helps doctors predict how the disease will progress and choose the best treatment.

Diagnosis and Classification Methods

Diagnosing blood cancers is a complex task. We use several tests and exams to get an accurate diagnosis. This is key for choosing the right treatment.

Blood Tests and Bone Marrow Examination

Blood tests are often the first step. They can show if there are abnormal blood cells, which might mean cancer. A complete blood count (CBC) checks the levels of different blood cells.

If the CBC shows cancer, we do a bone marrow examination. This involves taking a bone marrow sample for analysis.

Imaging and Biopsy Procedures

We also use imaging tests like CT scans and MRI to see how far the cancer has spread. These tests help find any affected lymph nodes or organs. Sometimes, a biopsy is needed to remove a tissue sample for examination.

This helps confirm the cancer type and stage. It’s a vital step in planning treatment.

Genetic and Molecular Testing

Genetic and molecular testing are also key. These tests find specific genetic mutations in cancer cells. This information helps decide the best treatment.

We use methods like fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to find these genetic changes.

By combining blood tests, bone marrow exams, imaging, biopsies, and genetic tests, we can accurately diagnose blood cancers. This detailed approach helps us create treatment plans that fit each patient’s needs.

Treatment Approaches for Different Blood Cancers

It’s important to know the treatment options for blood cancers. The right treatment depends on the cancer type, stage, and the patient’s health.

Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy is a key treatment for many blood cancers. It uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It’s often used with other therapies to work better. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It’s good for treating cancer in specific areas.

A leading oncologist says, “Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are key in fighting blood cancers.” They have shown to be effective in many studies.

Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapies

Targeted therapies are more precise, focusing on specific cancer molecules. They can be very effective with fewer side effects. Immunotherapies, like monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cell therapy, boost the body’s immune fight against cancer.

• Monoclonal antibodies target specific cancer cell proteins.
• CAR-T cell therapy modifies T cells to attack cancer cells.

Stem Cell Transplantation

Stem cell transplantation can cure some blood cancers. It replaces the patient’s diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This lets for high-dose chemotherapy or radiation, then stem cells are given to rebuild the bone marrow.

As cancer research grows, treatments for blood cancers get more complex. Knowing the different treatments helps patients and doctors make the best choices.

Conclusion: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Blood Cancers

It’s key to know the different types of blood cancers for the right diagnosis and treatment. We’ve looked at leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and more. Each has its own traits and why they need to be classified correctly.

Medical research is making progress in treating blood cancers. New treatments like targeted therapies and immunotherapies give hope. A mix of medical know-how and patient support is vital for top-notch care.

Keeping up with blood cancer research and treatments is important. Patients and doctors can work together for better results. We need to keep researching and working together to improve life for those with blood cancers.

FAQ

Reference

1. MedlinePlus – Lymphomahttps://medlineplus.gov/lymphoma.html