Types of Blood Cancer Explained

Common Types of Blood Cancer

Most types of blood cancer develop in the bone marrow, the site where blood cells are produced. Blood cancers typically occur when blood cells begin dividing uncontrollably, disrupting the normal function of healthy blood cells that usually help fight infections and generate new blood cells.^[1]

There are three common types of blood cancer, described below:

Leukemia

Leukemia, also known as blood cancer, occurs when the body produces large amounts of abnormal white blood cells. This type of cancer is divided into four categories based on the type of white blood cell affected and whether the disease progresses rapidly (acute) or slowly (chronic).^[2] The main types include:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia:

In this condition, excessive numbers of lymphocytes are produced, crowding out healthy white blood cells and replacing them. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is relatively common in children. It’s important to note that this form can progress quickly if not treated promptly.^[2]

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia:

This type is more prevalent in adults and shares a similar development mechanism with the previous one—starting with excessive production of lymphocytes in the bone marrow. However, it grows much more slowly and often remains asymptomatic for years after the cancer begins.^[2]

• Acute myeloid leukemia:

The bone marrow produces unusually large quantities of monocytes or granulocytes—cells that normally mature into white blood cells.^[3]

• Chronic myeloid leukemia:

This type develops in bone marrow cells, leading to an overproduction of these cells, but at a slow pace.^[2]

Lymphoma

This is a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system—the network responsible for fighting infections. The lymphatic system includes lymph nodes, the spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow.^[4]

There are two primary types of lymphocytes involved in this cancer: B cells and T cells. Notably, lymphoma can spread to any part of the body because lymphatic tissue is present throughout the body.^[4]

Multifocal Myeloma

Multifocal myeloma arises from plasma cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies that combat infections. In this condition, large numbers of abnormal plasma cells are generated, displacing normal blood cells and producing proteins that may lead to serious complications in the body.^[5]

Rare Types of Blood Cancer

Less common forms of blood cancer include the following:^[1]

• Myelodysplastic syndromes:

This condition results from damage to blood-forming cells in the bone marrow.

• Myeloproliferative neoplasm:

The body overproduces white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets in this disorder.

• Amyloidosis:

This condition involves abnormal accumulation of a protein called amyloid. Although amyloidosis itself is not a cancer, it is closely associated with multifocal myeloma.

• Waldenström macroglobulinemia:

This is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, typically originating in B cells.

• Aplastic anemia:

This condition arises due to damage to the main stem cells, and treatment usually requires a bone marrow transplant.

Special session featuring pioneers, in collaboration with Novartis

Uncovering key facts and insights about leukemia

With Dr. Eman Al-Najjar and Dr. Mohamed Abu Hleihah from the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "What are bone marrow and blood cancers?", cancercenter, Retrieved 22/11/2022. Edited.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Types of Blood Cancer", webmd, Retrieved 22/11/2022. Edited.
3. ↑ "What is acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)?", cancerresearchuk, Retrieved 22/11/2022. Edited.
4. ^ ^{a b} "Lymphoma Types, Symptoms, and Treatments", hillman.upmc, Retrieved 22/11/2022. Edited.
5. ↑ "Multiple myeloma", mayoclinic, Retrieved 22/11/2022. Edited.