Learn About Blood Cancers

What are blood cancers? Blood cancers occur when abnormal blood cells begin to divide uncontrollably or lose normal function. When this happens, blood cells have less ability to do their normal jobs: Fight infections Deliver oxygen to the body Help blood flow and clot normally Blood cancers usually happen due to an acquired mutation or change in a cell’s DNA or chromosomes. Types of blood cancer Leukemia Usually starts in bone marrow when blood cells or stem cells begin to divide uncontrollably Can be acute and fast-growing Can occur in both adults and children Can be chronic and slow-growing Can occur in both adults and children, but is rare in children Most common acute subtypes: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults; acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children Most common chronic subtype: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) Both AML and ALL can occur in adults or children. Lymphoma Usually starts in the lymphatic system in white blood cells called lymphocytes Two types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma Most common type: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Myeloma Usually starts in bone marrow Affects a particular type of white blood cells, called...