In the News Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Part II

(continued from Part I…)

Lymphoma –

Lymphoma is the general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. Lymphoma originates in developing B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, which have undergone a malignant (cancerous) change. This means that they multiply without any proper order forming tumors, which are collections of cancer cells. These tumors cause swelling in the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Over time, malignant lymphocytes (called lymphoma cells) crowd out normal lymphocytes and eventually the immune system becomes weakened and can no longer function properly. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes more than 40 different types of Lymphoma.

Myeloma –  

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma or plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells (mature B-lymphocytes) that usually arises in the bone marrow. Myeloma develops when plasma cells undergo a malignant (cancerous) change and become myeloma cells. These myeloma cells multiply without any proper order, forming collections known as tumors that accumulate in different parts of the body, most commonly in the bone marrow and on the surfaces of different bones in the body.

Myeloma cells secrete chemicals that stimulate other bone marrow cells to remove calcium from the bone. As a result, bones can become weaker, more brittle and break more easily.