In 2019 in Australia, it is estimated there will be 12,681 combined new cases of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma
Blood cancers occur in both male and females when normal blood cell production is interrupted by the uncontrolled growth of an abnormal type of blood cell. There are three main types of blood cancer:
Lymphoma:
Lymphomas are blood cancers that affect the lymphatic system, part of the immune system which protects the body against disease and infection. Lymphomas occur when lymphocites (a type of white blood cell) undergo a malignant change and multiply in an uncontrolled way. The lymphoma cells then accumulate to form tumours in the lymph nodes, which are located throughout the body. There are two types of lymphoma; Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which can be distinguished by the specific lymphocites involved.
It is estimated 6423 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed in 2019, making Lymphoma the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
Leukaemia:
Leukaemia starts in the bone marrow where developing blood cells (usually white cells) undergo a malignant change. These cells then crowd the marrow, affecting the body’s ability to produce normal blood cells. In 2019, 4251 new cases of leukaemia are estimated to be diagnosed in Australia.
Myeloma:
Myeloma is a cancer that develops in plasma cells (a type of white cell) of the bone marrow. The usual role of plasma cells is to help fight infection. In 2019, it’s estimated that 2007 new cases of myeloma will be diagnosed.