Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month: University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

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		Home > Cancer and Treatments > Blood, Lymphatic & Bone Marrow Cancers September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month One person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer -- such as leukemia or lymphoma -- approximately every four minutes. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated combined total of 1,638,910 people in the US are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia (47,150), lymphoma (79,190) or myeloma (21,700) in 2012. Leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)are types of cancer that can affect the bone marrow, the blood cells, the lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system. The dramatic improvement in blood cancer treatment that began during the latter part of the 20th century is largely the result of chemotherapy. Several new drugs (and new uses for established drugs) have greatly improved rates of blood cancer cure and remission. People living with some types and stages of cancer may also benefit from treatment with radiation. Source: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society®: Facts 2012 [pdf] Facts There are 2 main types of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, or Hodgkin's disease) is named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who first described it. All other types of lymphoma are called non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Source: American Cancer Society What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma? "Lymphoma" is a general term for many blood cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. Lymphoma results when a lymphocyte (a type of white cell) undergoes a malignant change and multiplies out of control. Eventually, healthy cells are crowded out and malignant lymphocytes cause a mass in the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and/or other sites in the body. Source: Leukemia and Lyphoma Society® - Lymphoma. Leukemia Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, the spongy center of bones where our blood cells are formed. The disease develops when blood cells produced in the bone marrow grow out of control. Leukemia, the most common blood cancer, includes several diseases. The four major types are: 1. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) 2. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 3. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) 4. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) Source: Leukemia and Lyphoma Society® - Leukemia. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) Although affecting approximately 10 times more adults than children, leukemia is the most common cancer among children, with ALL accounting for approximately 75 percent of all childhood leukemias. The most common type of leukemia in adults is AML, followed by CLL, CML, and ALL. Source: National Cancer Institute: A Snapshot of Leukemia [pdf]. News U-M News Natural enzyme provides potential new approach for treating graft-vs-host-disease Biomarker detects graft-versus-host-disease in cancer patients after bone marrow transplant Prototype drug targets metabolism, halts disease that limits bone marrow transplantation New cancer drug discovered at U-M heads to clinical trials Drug combination shows promise for newly diagnosed blood cancer patients, study finds Blood test could improve graft-vs.-host disease treatment National News National Cancer Institute NIH study finds childhood CT scans linked to leukemia and brain cancer later in life Chemotherapy proves life-saving for some leukemia patients who fail induction therapy American Cancer Society FDA Approves Adcetris for Two Types of Lymphoma Early Results of Gene Therapy Show Promise Against Leukemia Risk Factors Unfortunately, most cases of leukemia and lymphoma cannot be prevented. Real, known causes of leukemia and lymphoma have not been identified. There are possible risk factors for leukemia and lymphoma. For now, the best way to reduce the risk for leukemia and lymphoma is to try to prevent known risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age, can't be changed. But risk factors don't tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And many people who get the disease may not have any known risk factors. Even if a person has a risk factor and gets cancer, it is often very hard to know how much that risk factor may have contributed to the cancer. Risk factors for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Smoking Smoking is a proven risk factor for AML. Many people know that smoking is linked to cancers of the lungs, mouth, and throat. But few know that it can also affect cells that do not come into direct contact with smoke. Cancer-causing substances in tobacco smoke get into the bloodstream and spread to many parts of the body. Chemicals Exposure to certain chemicals has been linked to acute leukemia. For instance, long-term exposure to high levels of benzene is a risk factor for AML. Radiation Exposure to a high dose of radiation is a risk factor for AML. The risk of leukemia from lower levels of radiation, such as from radiation treatment, x-rays, or CT scans, is not clear. Certain blood problems Patients with certain blood problems seem to be at a higher risk for getting AML. If your body makes too many red cells or not enough platelets, for instance, this may raise your risk. Congenital (present at birth) syndromes AML does not appear to be an inherited disease. There are some syndromes with genetic changes that seem to raise the risk of AML. These include: Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome, Ataxia-telangiectasia, Blackfan-Diamond syndrome. Identical twin with AML Having an identical twin with AML is a risk factor. This risk is mostly in the first year of life. Gender AML is more common in males than in females. The reasons for this are not clear. Source: American Cancer Society - What are the risk factors for acute myeloid leukemia? Risk factors for acute lymphocytic leukemia Since most people with acute lymphocytic leukemia don't have any known risk factors that can be changed, there is no way to prevent leukemia at this time. Source: American Cancer Society - Can acute lymphocytic leukemia be prevented? Risk factors for chronic myeloid leukemia There is no known way to prevent most cases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Many types of cancer can be prevented by lifestyle changes to avoid certain risk factors, but this is not true for most cases of CML. A few cases may be linked to high doses of radiation, but again, this is rare. Source: American Cancer Society - Leukemia--Chronic Myeloid (Myelogenous) Overview Risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia Many types of cancer can be prevented by lifestyle changes to avoid certain risk factors, but there are very few known risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and most of these cannot be avoided. Most CLL patients have no known risk factors, so there is no way to prevent these cancers. Source: American Cancer Society - Leukemia--Chronic Lymphocytic Risk Factors for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Age Getting older is a strong risk factor for lymphoma overall, with most cases occurring in people in their 60's or older. But some types of lymphoma are more common in younger people. Gender Overall, the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is higher in men than in women, but there are certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that are more common in women. The reasons for this are not known. Race, ethnicity, and geography In the United States, whites are more likely than African Americans and Asian Americans to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Worldwide, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in developed countries, with the United States and Europe having the highest rates. Some types of lymphoma that have been linked to specific infections (described further on) are more common in certain parts of the world. Radiation exposure Studies of survivors of atomic bombs and nuclear reactor accidents have shown they have an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including leukemia, thyroid cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Immune system deficiency People with weakened immune systems have an increased risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For example, people who receive organ transplants (kidney, heart, liver) are treated with drugs that suppress their immune system to prevent it from attacking the new organ. These people have a higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can also weaken the immune system, and people infected with HIV are at increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Autoimmune diseases Some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus), celiac sprue (gluten-sensitive enteropathy), and others have been linked with an increased rate of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Infections Infections that directly transform lymphocytes Infections that weaken the immune system - Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Infections that cause chronic immune stimulation Body weight and diet Some studies have suggested that being overweight or obese may increase your risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Source: American Cancer Society - Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Risk Factors for Hodkgin Lymphoma Epstein-Barr virus infection/mononucleosis People who have had infectious mononucleosis (sometimes called mono for short), an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), have an increased risk of Hodgkin disease. Age Hodgkin disease is most common in early adulthood (ages 15 to 40, especially in a person's 20s) and in late adulthood (after age 55). Gender Hodgkin disease occurs slightly more often in males than in females. Geography Hodgkin disease is most common in the United States, Canada, and northern Europe, and is least common in Asian countries. Family history Brothers and sisters of young people with this disease have a higher risk for Hodgkin disease. The risk is very high for an identical twin of a person with Hodgkin disease. But a family link is still uncommon, and is seen in only around 5% of all cases. HIV infection The risk of Hodgkin disease is increased in people infected with HIV, the virus that causes. Source: American Cancer Society - Hodgkin Disease Symptoms Leukemia Symptoms Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel through the body. The symptoms of leukemia depend on the number of leukemia cells and where these cells collect in the body. These and other symptoms may be caused by leukemias. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur. Possible signs of adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Fever Shortness of breath Easy bruising or bleeding Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding) Weakness or feeling tired Weight loss or loss of appetite Source: National Cancer Institute - Possible signs of adult AML Possible signs of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Weakness or feeling tired Fever Easy bruising or bleeding Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding) Shortness of breath Weight loss or loss of appetite Pain in the bones or stomach Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin Source: National Cancer Institute - Possible signs of adult ALL Possible signs of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin Feeling very tired Pain or fullness below the ribs Fever and infection Weight loss for no known reason Source: National Cancer Institute - Possible signs of chronic lymphocytic leukemia Possible signs of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Feeling very tired Weight loss for no known reason Night sweats Fever Pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side Source: National Cancer Institute - Possible signs of chronic myelogenous leukemia Hodgkin Lymphoma Symptoms Hodgkin lymphoma can cause many symptoms: The most common symptom is painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, causing a lump or bump under the skin. This is most often on the side of the neck, in the arm pit, or in the groin. This is more often a sign of something such as an infection, rather than Hodgkin disease, but it is important to have such lumps checked by your doctor. Other symptoms can include unexplained fever that doesn't go away, drenching night sweats that often require changing bed sheets or night clothes, and unexplained weight loss. Severe and constant itching can be another symptom of Hodgkin disease. However, very early in the disease, many people with Hodgkin disease may not have any symptoms. Source: American Cancer Society - Hodgkin Disease Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Symptoms Swollen lymph nodes If the cancer involves lymph nodes close to the surface of the body (on the sides of the neck, in the groin, in the underarm areas, or above the collar bone) the patient, a family member, or the doctor will most likely notice the swelling as a lump under the skin. Although enlarged lymph nodes are a common symptom of lymphoma, they are much more often caused by infections). Lymphoma in the belly (abdomen): Lymphomas here may cause the abdomen to become swollen and tender. Lymphoma in the chest: If the disease starts in the thymus (a small organ behind the breast bone) or lymph nodes in the chest, pressure on the windpipe (trachea) can cause coughing, shortness of breath, or pain. Lymphoma of the brain: Lymphomas of the brain cause headache, trouble thinking, weakness in certain parts of the body, personality changes, and sometimes seizures. Lymphomas of the skin: Lymphomas of the skin may be seen or felt. They often start as very itchy, red to purple lumps under the skin. General Symptoms Weight loss without a known reason Fever Heavy night sweating (enough to soak clothes and sheets) Source: American Cancer Society - Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Overview Take action U-M Blood, Lymphatic and Bone Marrow Cancers Research U-M BMT Research UMClinicalStudies.org - Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinical Trials Lymphoma Research Foundation, Clinical Trial Information Centerwatch Lymphoma Clinical Trials Leukemia Clinical Trials Resources U-M Resources BMT Program Hematology Oncology Clinics Multidisciplinary Lymphoma Clinic Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic Radioimmunotherapy: Bexxar Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Myelodysplastic Syndromes National Resources Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan Phone: 800-825-2536 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Phone: 800-456-5413 Understanding Blood Counts Managing your Cancer Leukemia Research Foundation Phone: 847-424-0600 Medline Plus Medline Plus Leukemia Interactive Tutorial Lymphoma Hodgkin Disease Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma National Cancer Institute Leukemia Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Treatment Hairy Cell Leukemia AIDS-Related Lymphoma Treatment Primary-CNS Lymphoma Treatment Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Hodgkin Lymphoma Multiple Myeloma and other Plasma Cell Neoplasms Myeloproliferative Disorders Biological Therapies for Cancer - Questions and Answers Targeted Cancer Therapies Fact Sheet American Cancer Society Learn about Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Type Learn about Hodgkin Disease Learn about Multiple Myeloma Learn about Lymphoma, Skin Learn about Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Leukemia in Children Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation National Marrow Donor Program Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation National Cancer Institute: Rituxan National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN back to top		Adjust text size

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