Blood cancer can affect how your body produces and functions with blood cells. Most blood cancers start in the bone marrow, which is where your body makes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In these types of cancers, the normal process of blood cell development is being interfered with by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, thus rendering your body unable to fight infections, carry oxygen, and allow the necessary bleeding process.
Symptoms they cause include fever, fatigue, bone pain, and anemia. Their treatments range from chemotherapy, irradiation, transplantation of stem cells, and immunotherapy, with growing advancements leading to better outcomes for patients.
There are three main types of blood cancers:
- Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymphatic system, affecting lymph nodes and lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
- Leukemia: A cancer affecting the bone marrow and blood, characterized by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells.
- Myeloma: Cancer of plasma cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies.
Prevalence of Blood Cancer
Blood cancers account for about 6% of all cancer cases worldwide, and because of this, it is estimated that 1.24 million new cases occur annually. [1] Leukaemia ranks as the 13th most common cancer worldwide. In 2020, 2.5% of new cancer diagnoses were Leukemia, accounting for 3.1% of cancer deaths.
Males are more affected by Leukemia, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 6.1 per 100,000 versus 4.3 per 100,000 in females. [2] Death rates from Leukemia show similar trends in mortality rates, with men having higher mortality rates than women from Leukemia.
Blood Cancer Survival Statistics
These rates of survival from blood cancer are very much linked to the type of cancer, the stage at which it was diagnosed, and also depend on the age and overall health of the individual. For example, children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) have a 5-year survival rate of around 90%. [3] According to the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year relative survival rate for Leukemia is 66.7%.
These statistics provide overall trends in survival. Yet, ongoing advances in treatment continue to improve outcomes for many patients with blood cancers.
Blood Cancer Costs
Treating blood cancer can be particularly expensive to treat. During the month of diagnosis, spending is particularly high. Blood cancer patients often face significant costs, with average spending in the first 12 months following diagnosis reaching approximately $189,000. [4]
This figure is based on data from the United States and serves as an example, as costs may vary by region.
Where to Find More Blood Cancer Information
The following are some of the most reliable sources of information about blood cancer.
Best Websites for In-Depth Exploration
- Blood Cancer UK
Blood Cancer UK has produced an informative guide if you want to know more about blood cancer, from causes to symptoms to diagnosis. Check out About Blood Cancer and Blood Cancer Symptoms and Signs. [5] [6]
- Yale Medicine
Yale Medicine provides a comprehensive yet concise guide on blood cancers, offering clear insights into their types and causes. Their well-structured content creates an easy structure in which one can find specific information. Visit Blood Cancers for more. [7]
- WebMD
WebMD has a comprehensive but concise breakdown of lymphoma, Leukemia – types of blood cancers, risk factors, and treatment for each. See also: Types of Blood Cancer. [8]
Best Websites for Quick Reads
- Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic offers a detailed yet concise overview of blood cancer. It’s easy to skim, with well-organized bullet points covering symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Their content is perfect for a quick read while still being informative. Visit their article on Blood Cancer. [9]
- Cancer Center
The Cancer Center provides a concise yet thorough guide to blood cancer, covering all the essentials in an easy-to-read format. It’s ideal for a quick overview. Visit Blood Cancer for more. [10]
Special Focus on Lymphoma
- Cancer Council (Australia)
It provides detailed content on lymphoma, focusing on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It’s a reliable source for in-depth information. Check out their article on Lymphoma. [11]
Special Focus on Leukemia
- National Cancer Institute (NIH)
The National Cancer Institute offers in-depth, government-backed content on blood cancers like Leukemia. It’s a highly detailed and credible resource with links to causes, screenings, and treatment options. Check out their Leukemia—Patient Version page for more. [12]
Special Focus on Myeloma
- Cancer Council (Australia)
Cancer Council’s content on Myeloma is thorough, providing well-detailed sections on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Explore their page on Myeloma. [13]
The Bottom Line
Blood cancer is a serious condition of the disruption of normal blood cell production and function. Advanced treatment provides improved survival rates and allows more people to live longer with blood cancer, although it is very expensive on many occasions and requires a high level of support for the patient.
Still, as these treatments continue to evolve, their focus remains on finding ways to lighten the medical and financial burdens of the disease.
Source
- Blood Cancers. www.bms.com/assets/bms/us/en-us/pdf/Disease-State-Info/blood-cancers-at-a-glance.pdf.
- Bispo, Jordan A. Baeker, et al. “Epidemiology and Etiology of Leukemia and Lymphoma.” Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 6, 1 June 2020, https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a034819.
- “Leukemia Survival Rates by Age.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322990.
- Yare, Michael. “Rising Cost of Living Hits Blood Cancer Patients Hard, Sparking Surge in Requests for Financial Assistance.” Leukaemia Foundation, 18 Oct. 2023, www.leukaemia.org.au/media/rising-cost-of-living-hits-blood-cancer-patients-hard-sparking-surge-in-requests-for-financial-assistance/.
- “Blood Cancer UK | Blood Cancer.” Blood Cancer UK, bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/.
- “Blood Cancer UK | Blood Cancer Symptoms and Signs.” Blood Cancer UK, 2024, bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/blood-cancer-signs-symptoms/#blood-cancer-symptoms. Accessed 19 Sept. 2024.
- Yale Medicine. “Blood Cancers: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.” Yale Medicine, www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/blood-cancers.
- “Types of Blood Cancer.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/types-and-differences.
- “Blood Cancer: Overview, Symptoms & Types.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22883-blood-cancer.
- Markman, Maurie. “Blood Cancers – Types and Treatment Options.” Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 20 Feb. 2019, www.cancercenter.com/blood-cancers.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Lymphoma (Cancer of the Lymphatic System): Signs & Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 9 June 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22225-lymphoma.
- Cancer Council. “Lymphoma | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments.” Www.cancer.org.au, Jan. 2023, www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/lymphoma.
- Watson, Stephanie. “What Is Lymphoma?” WebMD, WebMD, 29 Jan. 2015, www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/lymphoma-cancer.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Leukemia Symptoms, Signs & Treatment Options.” Cleveland Clinic, 19 Nov. 2019, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4365-leukemia.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Leukemia – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 21 Sept. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20374373.
- WebMD. “What Is Leukemia?” WebMD, WebMD, 13 Sept. 2016, www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/understanding-leukemia-basics.
- National Cancer Institute. “Leukemia—Patient Version.” National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov, 2019, www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms, What It Is, Prognosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6178-multiple-myeloma.
- Mayo Clinic. “Multiple Myeloma – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/symptoms-causes/syc-20353378.
- Cancer Council. “Myeloma | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments.” Www.cancer.org.au, Jan. 2023, www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/myeloma.
