Leukemia, Lymphoma – These are two of the scariest words anyone could hear in a doctor’s office. It does not matter if it is you, personally, mother, father, son, spouse, friend; fear is just as bad if it’s about someone who means something to you. First of all, you will want to know exactly what type of cancer it is. Leukemia and lymphoma are cancers of the blood. Since you have the diagnosis, there are things that need to be taken care of right away.

First, get a second opinion in a completely different practice. You want to be completely sure before you start thinking about treatments. The next thing to do is find a support group. There are programs in all hospitals that have cancer centers. People with leukemia and lymphoma (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin and myeloma) need professionals trained in these types of cancer. These diseases affect all members of the family of the person diagnosed. There are family and peer support groups.

Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. These are the part of the blood that fights infection. Leukemia is the uncontrolled multiplication or growth of white blood cells. There are several types of leukemia, and fortunately it is very treatable in most situations. Acute leukemia begins quickly and grows rapidly, while chronic leukemia occurs over a long period of time.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes and cells and includes the overgrowth of lymphocytes.

The cause of leukemia or lymphoma is unknown. These are two of the three types of blood cancer; the other is multiple myeloma.

These cancers are difficult to diagnose early because their symptoms are not specific. Some of the symptoms are: easy bruising, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes (no pain) and fever without infection, unexplained bleeding, weight loss, bone and joint pain. These symptoms depend on the type of blood cancer involved. In multiple myeloma, there is often bone and joint pain as the first symptom due to the destruction of bone cells. Leukemia with chronic anemia, night sweats, recurrent infections is suspected. When lymphoma is suspected, it often depends on the size and location of the swollen lymph nodes.

10% of all new cancers are due to these three blood cancers. For children, leukemia is the most common type of cancer. People with leukemia are at risk for infections. There is chemotherapy and radiation treatment, as well as bone marrow transplantation in some cases.

What are the risk factors for developing leukemia or lymphoma? High radiation exposure, either through tests or during a person’s work, increases the chance of getting leukemia. Smoking increases your chances of getting leukemia. Certain diseases like Down syndrome increase the chances. A person with a family history of leukemia is more likely to develop it later in life.

Leukemia patients do not always receive treatment. If the disease is dormant, cancer treatment may be postponed until it occurs. Doctors will treat the other symptoms of the disease while they wait. Some leukemia patients receive chemotherapy; some are treated with radiation. There is also a specific treatment method that makes it possible to block the disease. This treatment is sometimes difficult for the patient to handle.