Cancers of the Blood

Two different cancers are frequently lumped together when we're talking about "blood cancers". Leukemia and Lymphoma develop differently, and have different lists of symptoms, but both involve the blood.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 44,600 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in 2011. It's a cancer of the bone marrow and blood, and there are four groups based on cell type: acute lymphocytic (ALL), chronic lymphocytic (CLL), acute myeloid (AML), and chronic myeloid (CML). Three-quarters of children and adolescents diagnosed with leukemia have ALL. Although we tend to hear a lot about children with leukemia, 90% of leukemia cases are actually diagnosed in adults 20 years of age or older. For them, the most common diagnoses are AML and CLL.

Symptoms of leukemia include:

• fatigue
• paleness
• weight loss
• repeated infections
• fever
• bruising easily
• nosebleeds or other hemorrhages

In acute leukemia, these symptoms may show up suddenly, while chronic leukemia may progress more slowly and show very few symptoms. It's often diagnosed with a routine blood test.

There are several risk factors known to cause higher incidences of leukemia. Medical radiation, such as that used in cancer treatment, and even some chemotherapy, have been linked to the disease. Genetic abnormalities such as those that cause Down syndrome have been found to increase risk as well. Some recent studies have suggested a link between leukemia and obesity. Family history remains one of the most significant risk factors for CLL, while cigarette smoking and exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene (found in gasoline and cigarette smoke) are risk factors for AML.

It is estimated that 75,190 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed this year. It's a cancer of the lymphocytes, or white blood cells. There are two types of lymphoma - Hodgkin (also called Hodgkin's Disease) and Non-Hodgkin. Non-Hodgkin (NHL) is the most common, with 66,630 predicted cases in 2011. Within NHL, there are a wide variety of subtypes.

Symptoms of lymphoma include:

• swollen lymph nodes
• itching
• night sweats
• fatigue
• unexplained weight loss
• intermittent fever

The risk of developing NHL increases with age, as does the risk of most cancers. The risk of developing Hodgkin, on the other hand, is highest in adolescents and young adults. The cause of lymphoma is unknown in most cases, although a few factors associated with altered immune function have been identified. People who receive organ transplants are at greater risk due to the required immune suppressing medications they have to take to prevent rejection of their transplant. Also, people with HIV and human T-cell leukemia virus type I have a higher risk factor. As with many other cancers, a family history of lymphoma carries a slightly higher risk, as do occupational and environmental exposures to certain chemicals.

Be aware of your risk, and discuss any unusual physical symptoms with your doctor. Since these cancers affect children, be sure to listen to any complaints your children share and don't hesitate to have them evaluated if you are concerned.

If you are currently fighting leukemia or lymphoma, or are a survivor or caregiver, you may be interested in a support group that meets at our office the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Meredith Kinsey, BSW at 361-5847.