Blood cancers are made up of two groups of diseases: leukemias and lymphomas.

Leukemia is cancer of the blood-forming tissues in the body — primarily the white blood cells. White blood cells are part of the immune system that protects the body from infections and helps destroy abnormal cell that causes cancer. In leukemia the white blood cells are produced at an abnormally high rate, they live longer than normal and they fail to function in a proper manner.

Leukemia presents with fevers and chills, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, abnormal bleeding and bruising night sweats and bone pain. These symptoms are vague and may have a variety of causes. Your health care provider looks for leukemia by getting a complete blood count which details the number of each type of cells in the blood — red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. White blood cells form the immune system and platelets cause the blood to clot. Sometimes a bone marrow biopsy may be needed

Leukemias are classified by the type of cells which are abnormal and the rate at which they progress. Acute leukemias involve immature forms of blood cells and they worsen rapidly. Chronic leukemias involve more mature forms of blood cells that reproduce more slowly and function more close to normal than the acute forms. They are slower to progress and may be clinically silent for months to years.

Lymphoma is also a cancer of the white blood cells but in lymphoma the abnormal white blood cells primarily remain in and enlarge in structures known as lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system. Lymph nodes filter the body’s fluids and remove bacteria and other infectious agents. The white blood cells found in lymph nodes are known as lymphocytes. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes.

Like in leukemia the abnormal lymphocytes multiply more rapidly, live longer and fail to work properly. Lymphomas presents as an enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms or in the groin. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. Diagnosis is made by examining your complete blood count and sometimes by performing a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node.

Lymphomas are also classified by the type of lymphocytes that are abnormal — T-cells or B-Cells. Like leukemias, they are also classified by have rapidly they develop and progress. One final distinction you may hear your provider use is whether it is a Hodgkin’s lymphoma or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These are based on the type of cells that are involved and the manner by which they are treated.

The improvement in survival form childhood leukemia is one of the success stories in modern medicine. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia went from being almost uniformly fatal to having a 98% remission rate and a 90% cure rate. If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms or have enlargement of the lymph nodes, be sure to see your health care provider.