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Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma

Photo: Faces of men, women and children.Hematologic (blood) cancers affect everyone, including children. CDC funds efforts to raise awareness about hematologic cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma) among the public and health care providers to improve survivors’ quality of life.

 

Blood Cancers: Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma

Photo: A group of people gatherd for a picnic.Hematologic cancers, (cancers of the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes) include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. In 2005 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), more than 100,000 cases of blood cancers were diagnosed in the United States, and more than 53,000 people died from these cancers.1 Among children and teens less than 20 years old, leukemia is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death.1

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. The two main types of leukemia are lymphocytic leukemia, which involves an increase of white blood cells called lymphocytes; and myelogenous leukemia (also known as myeloid or myelocytic leukemia), which involves an increase in white blood cells called granulocytes.

Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, while chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly.

Scientists do not fully understand all the causes of leukemia, but research has found many associations. For example, chronic exposure to benzene at work and exposure to large doses of radiation have been shown to cause leukemia in some cases. Benzene in cigarettes has been associated with an increased risk of leukemia of myeloid cells

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that start in the lymph system; mainly the lymph nodes. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma spreads in an orderly manner from one group of lymph nodes to another. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma spreads through the lymphatic system in a non-orderly manner. The causes of lymphoma are unknown.

Myeloma

Photo: A group of men women and children.Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In myeloma, the cells overgrow, forming a mass or tumor that is located in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found in the center of the bone, where red cells, white blood cells, and platelets are made.

Age is the most significant risk factor for developing myeloma. People under age 45 rarely develop the disease. Those aged 67 years or older are at greatest risk of developing myeloma. Men are more likely than women to develop myeloma, and myeloma is about twice as common among African Americans as among Caucasians.

Blood Cancer Trends

Although the number of new cases of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma diagnosed each year has increased, deaths from these blood cancers have decreased in recent years.1 This decrease in deaths may be due to many factors, including early detection and better treatments.

CDC Activities

CDC funds organizations to increase awareness of and education about hematologic cancers.  Four recently funded projects show the range of activities supported by this funding.

  • The Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials, Inc.External Web Site Policy is conducting a pilot project aimed at educating newly diagnosed/newly recurred patients about treatment options, including clinical trial treatment options.
  • The Oregon Health and Science University Cancer Institute(ohsucancer.com) is providing educational materials for teen and young adult hematologic cancer survivors by revising currently available materials, developing treatment summaries, and distributing educational materials and information.
  • SuperSibs! Sibling Survivors Education and Information Dissemination ProgramExternal Web Site Policy is providing information about hematologic cancers to cancer survivors and their family members, friends, and caregivers. 
  • The National Coalition for Cancer SurvivorshipExternal Web Site Policy is working to expand the award-winning Cancer Survival Toolbox program, which provides information and education, including self-advocacy skills, to people diagnosed with multiple myeloma, adult leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

CDC funds 65 states, tribes, territories, and Pacific Island jurisdictions to implement comprehensive cancer control (CCC) programs in their region. CCC is a collaborative process through which a community pools resources to reduce the burden of cancer. Each program's cancer control plan is tailored to meet the needs of its population. Many plans include goals and strategies covering hematologic cancers. For more information, visit CDC's National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T.

These efforts connect the public, people living with hematologic cancers, their friends and families, and the health care community with resources for—

  • Understanding the diseases better.
  • Asking the right questions about diagnosis, treatment, and care plans.
  • Identifying community support networks.
  • Providing services for cancer survivors.

More Information

Reference
1U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.

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