Basic Information

Hematologic cancers include leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloma, all of which involve the uncontrolled growth of cells that have similar functions and origins.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. The two primary types of leukemia are lymphocytic leukemia, which involves an increase of white blood cells called lymphocytes; and myelogenous leukemia (also known as myeloid or myelocytic leukemia), which involves an increase in white blood cells called granulocytes. Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, whereas chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly, leading to different approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymph system. The two primary types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's lymphoma, which spreads in an orderly manner from one group of lymph nodes to another; and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which spreads through the lymphatic system in a non-orderly manner.

Myeloma

Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In myeloma, the cells overgrow, forming a mass, or tumor, that is located in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found in the center of the bone, where red and white blood cells and platelets are made.