Hematological cancers originate from blood cells, bone marrow cells or lymphocytes, and can be divided into chronic and acute subtypes. Some hematological cancers have no visible symptoms and different types of hematological cancers have different symptoms, symptoms may be ignored resulting in diagnosis at a later stage. Different types of hematological cancers have different treatment methods; some require emergency treatment, and if treatment is delayed, it can have serious consequences and can be life-threatening; while others only need to be monitored regularly and wait until there is indication for treatment. Therefore, based on the uniqueness of each disease and the different physical conditions of the patient, doctors will discuss with patients on a suitable plan of management.
There are three main categories of blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Within these three categories, there are also a variety of diseases.
Hematopoietic system
Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue located within bone cavities.
Bone marrow is the factory that produces blood cells. The most primitive hematopoietic stem cells produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This is called the hematopoietic system.
All types of blood cells have different lifespans and are constantly renewed (red blood cells: 120 days, white blood cells: 1-2 days, platelets: 8 days).
The treatment of many hematological cancers, their related side effects and the disease itself may have varying degrees of impact on the hematopoietic system.
Leukemia
Leukemia usually occurs in the bone marrow, production of abnormal cells during cell growth.
Cytopathy causes a massive proliferation of abnormal cells. These immature white blood cells become blood cancer. The abnormal cells may also suppress the normal bone marrow hematopoietic function.
Leukemia can be divided into two types: myeloid and lymphoid, depends on whether the origin of abnormal cells is from bone marrow (myeloid leukemia) or w from lymphoid system (lymphocytic leukemia).
In addition, it can be divided into two types: acute and chronic. Under normal circumstances, the bone marrow contains a small number of immature cells, called blastocytes. The mature blastocytes will turn into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets and be released into the blood vessels.
Acute Leukemia
The excessive proliferation of abnormal blastic cells (blood cancer cells) in the bone marrow suppresses the normal bone marrow hematopoietic function and seriously affects body functions. Blood cancer cells will also squeeze into the blood system and circulate in the body. Acute leukemia develops rapidly, so it must be treated as early as possible.
Common acute leukemias include:
1) Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
2) Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Chronic Leukemia
The bone marrow accumulates too many abnormal, immature white blood cells and cannot function normally, which also affects normal hematopoiesis. However, early chronic leukemia usually develops more slowly and even has no symptoms.
Common chronic leukemias include:
1) Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
2) Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)