Blood Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding Leukemia, Lymphoma and Other Blood Cancers

When people hear the word "cancer," they may picture a tumor that can be seen on a scan or removed during surgery. However, blood cancers are different. They begin in the cells that make up our blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. And their symptoms can sometimes be subtle enough to mistake for everyday illnesses or simply feeling run down. 

That's one reason awareness matters. 

Blood Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn more about cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, including the symptoms that deserve attention and the treatments available to patients. 

"Blood cancers are a diverse group of diseases, and they don't all behave or present in the same way," says Esther Tan, MD, a medical oncologist at the Archbold Cancer Center in Thomasville, Georgia. "Understanding what is normal for your body and talking with your body and talking with your healthcare provider about persistent or unexplained changes can be an important first step toward getting the answers you need."

What Is Blood Cancer? 

Blood cancer occurs when abnormal blood cells begin growing uncontrollably, interfering with the normal production and function of healthy blood cells. 

Most blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue found inside certain bones. From there, different types of blood cells perform essential jobs throughout the body. Red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells help fight infection, and platelets help the blood clot. 

Blood cancers can disrupt these processes in different ways depending on the type of cancer and the cells affected.

"Your blood and lymphatic system are involved in many essential functions throughout the body, including immunity and oxygen delivery," says Dr. Tan. "When abnormal cells interfere with those normal functions, patients can experience a wide range of symptoms. 

Three of the most common categories of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. 

Leukemia: Cancer of Blood-Forming Tissues

Leukemia typically begins in the bone marrow and affects the production of blood cells, often causing the body to produce large numbers of abnormal white blood cells. These cells may crowd out healthy blood cells and interfere with the body's ability to fight infection, carry oxygen, or control bleeding. 

There are several forms of leukemia, which are generally classified by how quickly they progress and the type of blood cell affected. Some leukemias are acute, meaning they can progress rapidly and require prompt treatment. Others are chronic and may develop more slowly. 

Possible symptoms of leukemia can include: 

  • Persistent fatigue or weakness
  • Frequent or recurring infections
  • Fever or night sweats
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Bone or joint pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale skin

These symptoms do not automatically mean someone has leukemia. Many can be caused by far more common health conditions. However, symptoms that persist, worsen, or occur without an obvious explanation should be discussed with a healthcare provider. 

Lymphoma: Cancer of the Lymphatic System

Lymphoma begins in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in the immune system. It affects the lymphatic system, a network of lymph nodes, vessels, and organs that helps the body fight infection and maintain fluid balance. 

Lymphomas are broadly divided into two categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Within those categories are numerous subtypes that can behave very differently. 

Some lymphomas grow slowly and may not require immediate treatment, while others can progress more rapidly. 

One of the most recognized symptoms of lymphoma is a painless, enlarged lymph node, often in the neck, armpit, or groin. Other potential symptoms include unexplained fever, drenching night sweats, persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss or itching. 

"A swollen lymph node is most often related to an infection or another noncancerous condition," Dr. Tan explains. "But a lymph node that remains enlarged, continues to grow, or occurs along with other unexplained symptoms should be evaluated."

Multiple Myeloma: A Cancer of Plasma Cells

Multiple myeloma is another type of blood cancer, but unlike leukemia and lymphoma, it develops in plasma cells. 

Plasma cells are white blood cells that normally produce antibodies to help the body fight infection. With multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells multiply in the bone marrow and can interfere with the production of healthy blood cells. They may also produce abnormal proteins that can affect other parts of the body. 

Multiple myeloma can lead to problems such as bone pain or weakened bones, anemia, kidney problems, high calcium levels, and an increased susceptibility to infection. 

Some people may have few or no noticeable symptoms during the early stages, and abnormalities may first be discovered through routine blood or urine testing. 

Blood Cancer Symptoms Can Be Easy to Overlook

One of the challenges with blood cancers is that many potential warning signs are nonspecific. Fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes, or frequent infections can occur with many illnesses that have nothing to do with cancer. 

The key is paying attention to symptoms that don't go away, can't be easily explained, or represent a noticeable change from how you normally feel. 

Symptoms that may warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider include: 

  • Ongoing or unusual fatigue
  • Frequent infections
  • Unexplained fevers
  • Drenching night sweats
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent swollen lymph nodes
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding
  • Persistent bone or joint pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Recurrent or unexplained abnormalities on blood tests

"Having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have a blood cancer," says Dr. Tan. "But when something persists or doesn't have a clear explanation, it is important not to ignore it. Your healthcare provider can determine whether additional testing is appropriate."

How Are Blood Cancers Diagnosed? 

There isn't one single test used to diagnose every type of blood cancer. The evaluation depends on a patient's symptoms, medical history, and initial test results. 

A primary care provider may begin with a physical exam and blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets and can identify abnormalities that may require further investigation. 

Depending on the findings, additional testing could include specialized blood tests, imaging studies, a lymph node biopsy or a bone marrow biopsy. 

Because there are many different forms and subtypes of blood cancer, accurately identifying the specific disease is especially important. The diagnosis helps a patient's oncology team determine which treatment options may be most effective.

Treatment for Blood Cancer Is Highly Individualized

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating blood cancer. 

Treatment depends on several factors, including the specific cancer and subtype, how quickly it is progressing, the patient's age and overall health, and whether the cancer has affected other areas of the body. 

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation, or a combination of approaches. In certain slow-growing blood cancers, careful monitoring may be recommended before treatment begins. 

"Two patients can both be diagnosed with a blood cancer and have very different treatment plans," Dr. Tan says. "Our goal is to understand the individual disease and the individual patient so we can determine the most appropriate approach to care." 

Advances in cancer research have also led to increasingly targeted treatments designed around specific characteristics of cancer cells. These therapies can give physicians additional ways to treat certain blood cancers while tailoring care more closely to each patient's diagnosis. 

The Role of Hematology in Blood Cancer Care

Patients with a suspected or diagnosed blood cancer may be referred to a hematologist or medical oncologist for specialized evaluation and care. 

Hematology focuses on diseases and disorders of the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including both cancerous and noncancerous conditions. 

At Archbold, hematology and oncology services work together to help patients navigate testing, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care. This coordinated approach is particularly important because blood cancers can affect multiple systems throughout the body and may require ongoing monitoring over time. 

Blood Cancer Awareness Starts With Knowing Your Body

Unlike some cancers, there isn't a routine screening test recommended for the general population to detect most blood cancers before symptoms appear. That makes awareness and regular medical care especially important. 

Keeping up with routine checkups gives your healthcare provider an opportunity to discuss changes in your health and, when appropriate, perform blood tests that may identify abnormalities requiring further evaluation. 

It is also important to remember that unusual symptoms don't always mean cancer. But listening to your body—and speaking up when something doesn't feel right—can help ensure potential health concerns are investigated rather than overlooked. 

"Patients know their bodies better than anyone," says Dr. Tan. "If you notice a change that persists or something simply doesn't feel right, talk with your healthcare provider. Sometimes the most important thing you can do for your health is start that conversation."

Comprehensive Cancer and Hematology Care Close to Home

A cancer diagnosis can bring uncertainty for patients and their families, but having specialized care close to home can make the journey a little easier. 

The Archbold Cancer Center in Thomasville provides comprehensive cancer and hematology care for patients throughout South Georgia. From evaluation and diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care, Archbold's cancer care team works with patients to develop an individualized plan based on their diagnosis and needs.

Take time to learn the signs and symptoms of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood cancers, and don't hesitate to talk with your healthcare provider about unexplained changes in your health. 

If you or a loved one needs evaluation or treatment for a blood disorder or blood cancer, contact the Archbold Cancer Center at 229-584-5400.