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Last Updated on November 17, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir
Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer or haematological malignancy, is a group of cancers. They start in the bone marrow, blood cells, or lymphatic system.
At LivHospital, we aim to help you grasp what blood cancer is and why it happens. It threatens the body’s key systems. It affects cells that give you energy, help fight infections, and stop too much bleeding.
It’s vital to know the medical terms and reasons behind blood cancer. We’ll give you a rundown of its types, like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
It’s important for patients and doctors to know the terms for blood cancer. Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer or haematological malignancy, affects the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. This group of cancers is quite common.
The terms “hematologic cancer” and “haematological malignancy” are often used the same way. The main difference is in spelling, due to American and British English. Both describe cancers that start in the blood or immune system cells.
The main difference is in spelling. “Hematologic” is used in American English, while “haematological” is used in British English. Both terms cover the same conditions, like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
These cancers involve abnormal cell growth in the blood or lymphatic system. Knowing the right term helps in diagnosing and treating these cancers well.
Blood cancer is different from solid tumors. Solid tumors are abnormal tissue masses in various body parts. Blood cancers, on the other hand, affect the blood and bone marrow, making them harder to detect.
The main types of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Leukemia affects white blood cells, lymphoma the lymphatic system, and myeloma plasma cells. Each type has subtypes, making diagnosis complex.
Understanding these differences is key for effective treatment plans. By knowing the unique aspects of blood cancer, doctors can offer better targeted therapies. This improves patient outcomes.
The three main types of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Each has its own unique features. Knowing these differences is key for finding the right treatment.
Leukemia affects the body’s blood-making tissues, like the bone marrow and lymphatic system. It mainly targets white blood cells, which help fight off infections. Leukemia can be either acute or chronic, depending on how fast it grows.
Acute leukemia needs quick treatment because it grows fast. On the other hand, chronic leukemia grows slower, giving more time for treatment options.
Lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, a part of our immune system. It’s divided into two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is identified by specific cells called Reed-Sternberg cells.
Myeloma, or multiple myeloma, targets plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells help make antibodies to fight infections. In myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in the bone marrow, harming bones and weakening the immune system.
Each blood cancer type needs a unique treatment plan. This shows why accurate diagnosis and understanding the cancer’s specifics are so important.
Leukemia is a complex disease with many types. Each type is based on how fast it grows and the cells it affects. Knowing these types is key for finding the right treatment.
Leukemia is split into two main types: acute and chronic. Acute leukemia grows fast and needs quick treatment. If not treated, it can spread quickly.
Chronic leukemia grows slower and may not show symptoms for years. This allows for a more careful treatment plan.
Knowing if you have acute or chronic leukemia helps doctors choose the best treatment. It also helps predict how well you might do.
Leukemia is also divided by the type of cells it affects. Myeloid leukemia deals with cells that make blood and immune cells. Lymphocytic leukemia affects immune cells.
Knowing if you have myeloid or lymphocytic leukemia helps doctors target the right treatment. This makes the treatment more effective.
Leukemia affects people differently based on age. Some types are more common in kids, while others hit adults more often. For example, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is common in children. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is more common in older adults.
Understanding these patterns is important. It helps doctors find leukemia early and treat it in a way that works best for each age group.
Lymphoma comes in two main types: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. It starts in the lymphatic system, which fights infections and diseases. This system is part of our immune system.
These types are named based on the presence or absence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Knowing this helps doctors figure out how to treat and what to expect.
Hodgkin lymphoma has Reed-Sternberg cells, which are big and look different under a microscope. It usually starts in one lymph node or a few. Then, it can spread to more lymph nodes.
The Reed-Sternberg cells are key to identifying Hodgkin lymphoma. Treatment often includes chemotherapy and radiation. When caught early, the outlook is usually good.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma doesn’t have Reed-Sternberg cells. It includes types like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. These can be different in how fast they grow and how they’re treated.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is aggressive and needs quick action. Follicular lymphoma grows slowly and might not need immediate treatment. It’s often watched closely instead.
Lymphoma can happen at any age. But, the types and how often they happen change with age. Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in young adults. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in older adults.
Knowing this helps doctors plan the best treatment. Older adults might need special care because of other health issues and how their bodies respond to treatment.
We will explore multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is part of a group of plasma cell disorders. These can range from benign to aggressive cancer forms.
Multiple myeloma starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is spongy tissue inside bones like the hips and thighbones. It makes blood cells.
In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells fill the bone marrow. They crowd out healthy blood cells. These cancer cells make abnormal proteins that cause problems.
Effects on Bone Marrow: Myeloma cells in the bone marrow can cause anemia. This is because red blood cell production is impaired. It also leads to fewer other blood cells, raising the risk of infections and bleeding.
Bone Damage: Myeloma cells damage bones by releasing chemicals. These chemicals activate osteoclasts, cells that break down bone. This can cause bone pain, fractures, and high calcium levels in the blood.
Before becoming multiple myeloma, some people have precursor conditions. Two such conditions are monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM).
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): MGUS is when abnormal proteins (M-protein) are in the blood. People with MGUS don’t have symptoms. It’s often found during tests for other reasons.
Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM): SMM is a stage between MGUS and multiple myeloma. It has a higher M-protein level and more plasma cells in the bone marrow than MGUS. But, it doesn’t have the symptoms of multiple myeloma.
| Condition | M-protein Level | Plasma Cells in Bone Marrow | Symptoms |
| MGUS | Low | Less than 10% | No |
| SMM | Higher | 10-59% | No |
| Multiple Myeloma | High | 30% or more, or biopsy-proven bony or extramedullary plasmacytoma | Yes (e.g., bone pain, anemia) |
There are blood cancers that are not as well-known as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are examples. They affect many people and can greatly impact their health.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are disorders where blood cells don’t form right. This leads to bone marrow failure. MDS causes anemia, infections, and bleeding because of low blood cell counts.
Symptoms of MDS vary but often include tiredness, shortness of breath, and more infections. Doctors diagnose it with bone marrow biopsies and blood tests. The risk of turning into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a big worry. Treatment often includes blood transfusions or stem cell transplants.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are diseases where too many blood cells are made. This can cause blood clots, spleen enlargement, and a higher risk of leukemia. The main types are polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF).
People with MPNs might feel tired, itchy, and have bone pain. Doctors aim to prevent complications and manage symptoms. Treatments include medicines to lower blood cell counts and aspirin to prevent clots.
It’s important to know about these rare blood cancers to help patients. We’re working hard to improve diagnosis and treatment of MDS and MPNs. This gives hope for better lives for those affected.
The exact causes of blood cancer are not fully known. But, research has found several key risk factors. Knowing these factors helps us understand our risk and how to lower it.
Genetic mutations are a big part of blood cancer. Some are passed down from parents, while others happen by chance or due to the environment. Familial predisposition is a known risk factor, with certain genetic syndromes increasing the likelihood of developing specific types of blood cancer.
For example, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Down syndrome raise the risk of certain leukemias. Genetic mutations from environmental factors or DNA errors can also lead to blood cancer.
Exposure to certain toxins and radiation increases blood cancer risk. Benzene exposure, for instance, is linked to leukemia. Workers in industries using benzene, like chemicals and manufacturing, face a higher risk.
Lifestyle choices, like smoking, also raise the risk of certain blood cancers. Smoking can increase the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Knowing these risks helps us make better lifestyle and work choices.
Certain viral infections can raise the risk of specific blood cancers. For example, Human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) is linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is connected to various lymphomas, like Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Immune system problems, from inherited conditions to infections like HIV, also increase blood cancer risk. Understanding how viruses, immune function, and blood cancer risk interact is key to prevention.
Blood cancer is a big health issue worldwide. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds. We look at how blood cancer impacts the world, including its spread and who gets it, to understand it better.
Every year, millions of people get blood cancer. How common it is changes a lot in different places and groups.
Many things affect who gets blood cancer. These include genes, the environment, and how people live.
Blood cancer can happen at any age. But, it gets more common as people get older. Some blood cancers are more common in certain ages, genders, or ethnic groups.
Socioeconomic factors play a big role in blood cancer. How well people can get care and treatments varies around the world.
Not having good access to healthcare can delay diagnosis and treatment. This can hurt survival rates and the quality of life for blood cancer patients.
Getting a correct diagnosis and knowing the stage of blood cancer is key. Finding out if you have blood cancer involves many tests. These tests help figure out what type and how far it has spread.
First, doctors will ask about your health history and do a physical check-up. Blood tests, like complete blood counts (CBC) and blood smears, look for odd blood cells. Bone marrow biopsies and aspirations check the bone marrow for cancer cells.
More advanced tests include flow cytometry and molecular tests. These help spot specific cell markers and genetic changes linked to blood cancers.
Each blood cancer gets staged differently. For example, Hodgkin lymphoma uses the Ann Arbor Staging System. It looks at lymph node groups and symptoms. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia have their own systems, based on disease spread and genetics.
| Type of Blood Cancer | Staging System | Key Factors |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma | Ann Arbor | Number of lymph node groups, presence of symptoms |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | Ann Arbor or Lugano | Extent of disease, symptoms, bulk of disease |
| Leukemia | Varies by subtype | Genetic abnormalities, white blood cell count |
How well you might do with blood cancer depends on several things. These include the cancer type and stage, genetic changes, and your overall health. Thanks to better treatments, survival rates have gone up a lot.
Some genetic changes can mean a higher risk of the disease getting worse. Knowing this helps doctors make treatment plans that fit each patient’s needs.
Blood cancer includes diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. It’s important to understand these to find better treatments. New therapies and targeted treatments have greatly improved patient care.
Research has helped us understand blood cancer better. This has led to more effective treatments. Now, treatments are tailored to each patient’s cancer. This includes immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and stem cell transplants, giving patients new hope.
Future research aims to make treatments even better. With more research, we expect to see even better patient outcomes. As we learn more about blood cancer, we’ll find new ways to help patients worldwide.
Blood cancer is also known as hematologic cancer or haematological malignancy. It affects the blood cells, bone marrow, or lymphatic system.
The main types are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Leukemia affects blood-forming tissues. Lymphoma targets the lymphatic system. Myeloma is about plasma cells.
Causes include genetic mutations, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors. Viral infections and inherited predispositions also play a role.
Blood cancer affects blood cells, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. It doesn’t form solid tumors like other cancers do.
Risk factors include genetic mutations and exposure to chemicals or radiation. Lifestyle factors like smoking and viral infections also increase risk.
Diagnosing blood cancer involves blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, and imaging studies.
Each type of blood cancer has its own staging system. These systems help determine the disease’s extent and guide treatment.
Prognosis varies based on disease type, stage, and individual patient factors.
Yes, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are less common.
Blood cancer affects all ages. Acute leukemia is common in children, while chronic leukemia affects adults.
Blood cancer is a significant global health issue. Incidence and prevalence vary worldwide.
Socioeconomic factors like healthcare access and insurance status impact diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
