Alternative Names
Hodgkin's disease; lymphoma; leukemia; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; Hodgkin's lymphoma; Kahler disease; myelomatosis; plasma cell myeloma
Symptoms & Characteristics
Hematological cancers include leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma, all of which involve the uncontrolled overgrowth of cells that share similar functions and origins.
- Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. Blood cells form in bone marrow. In leukemia, the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells. . Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, while chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly.
- Lymphoma refers to a group of cancers that originate in the lymph system. There are many types of lymphoma. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma (also called Hodgkin's disease), which spreads in an orderly manner from one group of lymph nodes to another; and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which spreads through the lymphatic system in a non-orderly manner.
- Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In myeloma, the cells grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor, that is located in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is flexible tissue found in the center of bone. Bone marrow is the location where red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are made.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer.
How Common Is It?
Leukemia: About 30,000 people are diagnosed with leukemia each year in the United States.
Lymphoma: About 60,000 people are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma each year in the United States, while about 8,000 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Multiple Myeloma: Over 15,000 people are diagnosed with myeloma each year in the United States.
Genetics & Inheritance
Cancer is a multifactorial condition, which means it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Most cases of hematological cancers are not inherited and occur sporadically.
A small percent of all hematological cancers are due to a genetic condition or hereditary cancer syndrome.
Hereditary Cancer Syndrome - A hereditary cancer syndrome is caused by an inherited gene mutation that increases the chance to develop one or more types of cancer. Families are more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome if there are multiple generations of affected family members with the same cancer (or associated cancers). People who are diagnosed at an unusually young age or have certain rare cancers are also more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome. Several different hereditary cancer syndromes have been identified. Click here for more information about Cancer Genetics.
Genetic Conditions - People with certain genetic conditions are at increased risk to develop some types of cancer. Some of the common genetic conditions that are associated with hematological cancers include:
Some researchers have proposed that genetic variations called SNPs may influence the risk to develop leukemia cancer in some people. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (or SNPs) are small variations in a single "letter" of DNA that can be found throughout our entire genetic make-up. Currently, much of this research still needs to replicated in order to clearly establish associations.
Other yet to be identified or adequately classified genes may also contribute to hematological cancers.
A cancer genetic consultation with a trained genetic professional is important for a complete evaluation, accurate diagnosis, as well as discussion of the benefits and limitations of testing and the risk of cancer recurrence in the family.
Genetic Testing
Cancer predisposition testing for the hereditary cancer syndromes and genetic conditions associated with hematological cancers may be available through an in person genetic consultation for people who are considered at risk.
Informational genetic testing for susceptibility to leukemia is available online (over the internet). Go to the Tests tab to link to online providers, compare providers, and read provider reviews.
The decision to have genetic testing is personal and should always be discussed with trained medical professional. Use our find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained genetic professional in your area.
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