Blood Disorders Affecting White Blood Cells

Blood Disorders Affecting White Blood Cells

Blood disorders that affect white blood cells include:

Lymphoma : A form of blood cancer that develops in the lymph system. In lymphoma, a white blood cell becomes malignant, multiplying and spreading abnormally. Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are the two major groups of lymphoma. Treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation can often extend life with lymphoma, and sometimes cure it.

Leukemia : A form of blood cancer in which a white blood cell becomes malignant and multiplies inside bone marrow. Leukemia may be acute (rapid and severe) or chronic (slowly progressing). Chemotherapy and/or stem cell transplantation (bone marrow transplant) can be used to treat leukemia, and may result in a cure.

Multiple myeloma: A blood cancer in which a white blood cell called a plasma cell becomes malignant. The plasma cells multiply and release damaging substances that eventually cause organ damage. Multiple myeloma has no cure, but stem cell transplant and/or chemotherapy can allow many people to live for years with the condition.

Myelodysplastic syndrome: A family of blood cancers that affect the bone marrow. Myelodysplastic syndrome often progresses very slowly, but may suddenly transform into a severe leukemia. Treatments may include blood transfusions, chemotherapy and stem cell transplant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukemia

Leukemia, also spelled leukaemia, is a group of cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells.^[2] These white blood cells are not fully developed and are called blasts or leukemia cells.^[3] Symptoms may include bleeding and bruising problems, feeling tired, fever, and an increased risk of infections.^[3] These symptoms occur due to a lack of normal blood cells.^[3] Diagnosis is typically made by blood tests or bone marrow biopsy.^[3]

The exact cause of leukemia is unknown. Different kinds of leukemia are believed to have different causes. Both inherited and environmental (non-inherited) factors are believed to be involved.^[4] Risk factors include smoking, ionizing radiation, some chemicals (such as benzene), prior chemotherapy, and Down syndrome.^[4][5] People with a family history of leukemia are also at higher risk.^[5] There are four main types of leukemia — acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) — as well as a number of less common types.^[5][6] Leukemias and lymphomas both belong to a broader group of tumors that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid system, known as tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues.^[7][8]

Treatment may involve some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplant, in addition to supportive care and palliative care as needed. Certain types of leukemia may be managed with watchful waiting.^[5] The success of treatment depends on the type of leukemia and the age of the person. Outcomes have improved in the developed world.^[6] The average five-year survival rate is 57% in the United States.^[9] In children under 15, the five-year survival rate is greater than 60 to 85%, depending on the type of leukemia.^[10] In children with acute leukemia who are cancer-free after five years, the cancer is unlikely to return.^[10]

In 2012, leukemia developed in 352,000 people globally and caused 265,000 deaths.^[6] It is the most common type of cancer in children, with three quarters of leukemia cases in children being the acute lymphoblastic type.^[5] However, about 90% of all leukemias are diagnosed in adults, with AML and CLL being most common in adults.^[5] It occurs more commonly in the developed world.^[6]