According to City of Hope, blood cancers, also known as hematologic cancers, originate in the bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are produced — or in the lymphatic system. These cancers occur when abnormal blood cells proliferate uncontrollably, displacing healthy cells and disrupting their function. As normal blood cells are vital for infection defense, oxygen transport, and blood clotting, this interference can lead to severe consequences, including death.
The three most prevalent types of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, each affecting different kinds of blood or immune cells, but all originating in the bone marrow or lymphatic system. Some rare disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), are also categorized under blood cancers due to their impact on blood cell production and function.
How common blood cancers impact blood cell function
Blood cancers often prove fatal as they can severely damage the body’s blood and immune systems, resulting in infections, organ failure, or uncontrollable bleeding. For instance, leukemia can be deadly when the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient healthy blood cells, leaving the body susceptible to life-threatening infections, severe anemia, or uncontrollable bleeding. In advanced stages, multi-organ failure may occur due to the spread of leukemia cells or treatment-related complications. Aggressive therapies can also lead to fatal side effects in some instances. (It could be a warning sign of leukemia if your liver looks like this.)
Conversely, lymphoma (including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin types) can lead to death by damaging key organs, overwhelming the bone marrow, or disrupting the body’s chemical balance. Bone marrow failure results in infections, internal bleeding, or inadequate oxygen delivery to organs, while lymphoma in organs like the liver or lungs can cause those systems to fail. Rarely, thickened blood (hyperviscosity) can reduce blood flow to the brain or heart, causing stroke, heart attack, or loss of consciousness.
Lastly, individuals with advanced multiple myeloma may succumb to complications such as kidney failure, severe infections, or dangerously high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can lead to confusion, coma, and death. The disease also weakens bones and disrupts blood cell production, increasing the risk of fractures, anemia, and bleeding. As multiple myeloma advances, it can overwhelm vital organs and systems, resulting in multi-organ failure. (Read about how cancer therapy has taken a major step forward for multiple myeloma patients.)
Early diagnosis of blood cancers is crucial
Early detection is vital for successful treatment outcomes in blood cancers, as treatment in the initial stages can be more effective and less invasive. A broader range of treatments is available when the cancer is caught early. Furthermore, timely treatment can often lead to complete remission. Early diagnosis and treatment also help patients avoid more severe complications, such as infections and bleeding disorders, resulting in a better quality of life.
According to City of Hope, symptoms of blood cancers frequently include fatigue, frequent infections, unexplained weight loss, bone pain, and swollen lymph nodes, although signs can vary depending on the specific type. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests, biopsies, and imaging to ascertain the extent of the disease and guide treatment options, which may include chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, or targeted therapies.
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