Neoplasms of the Hematologic and Lymphoreticular System
Cancer of the B Lymphocytes. They begin to multiply in an abnormal way and collect in parts of the lymphatic system, such as glands. These glands can then swell up, but will be painless. They loose their infection fighting properties. Can quickly spread throughout the body. Etiology unknown, but Epstein-Barr virus has been implicated. Symptoms are: low grade fever, night sweats and weight loss. Treatment includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroid therapy.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Cancer of the Lymphatic system. Lymphocytes begin to multiply in abnormal ways and begin to collect in glands throughout the body. Symptoms are painless swellings that occur usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. Cause unknown but previous infection with Epstein-Barr virus suspected of being a trigger. Treatment will include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biological therapy.
Leukemias
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
A type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many abnormal ineffective lymphocytes. These cells interfere with normal blood cell production. It is not known what triggers this process. Symptoms include; enlarge but painless lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, frequent infections, pain in abdomen. Treatment involves chemotherapy to relieve symptoms.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
There is a rapid progression of the disease. Symptoms include; pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness, repeated infections over a short time, unusual and frequent bleeding. Treatment involves chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.
Hairy Cell Leukemia
Rare slow growing cancer where too many lymphocytes are produced which affects the number of red blood cells and platelets that are produced. Cause is unknown. Symptoms include, fatigue, infection, and bleeding. Treatment through chemotherapy, biological treatment.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Risk factors include prior exposure to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and occurs most often in children. Symptoms include; fever, paleness, pinpoint red spots, swollen glands, loss of appetite, fatigue, bone and joint pain, and being easily bruised. Treatment involves chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Progresses slowly, cause unknown. Symptoms include: fever, loss of weight, fatigue, night sweats. Treatment involves chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
Plasma cells in the bone marrow produce large amount of abnormal antibodies known as paraprotein, which lacks the capacity to fight infection. Symptoms include, bone pain, fatigue, infections, bone fractures, anaemia, and kidney damage. Treatment involves chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
Overproduction of IgM antibodies. Symptoms include; bleeding gums, blurred or decreased vision, dizziness, numbness, rash, weight loss, vision loss in one eye. Treatment, chemotherapy and periodic plasmapheresis.
- Lymphomas
Cancer of the B Lymphocytes. They begin to multiply in an abnormal way and collect in parts of the lymphatic system, such as glands. These glands can then swell up, but will be painless. They loose their infection fighting properties. Can quickly spread throughout the body. Etiology unknown, but Epstein-Barr virus has been implicated. Symptoms are: low grade fever, night sweats and weight loss. Treatment includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroid therapy.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Cancer of the Lymphatic system. Lymphocytes begin to multiply in abnormal ways and begin to collect in glands throughout the body. Symptoms are painless swellings that occur usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. Cause unknown but previous infection with Epstein-Barr virus suspected of being a trigger. Treatment will include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biological therapy.
Leukemias
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
A type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many abnormal ineffective lymphocytes. These cells interfere with normal blood cell production. It is not known what triggers this process. Symptoms include; enlarge but painless lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, frequent infections, pain in abdomen. Treatment involves chemotherapy to relieve symptoms.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
There is a rapid progression of the disease. Symptoms include; pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness, repeated infections over a short time, unusual and frequent bleeding. Treatment involves chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.
Hairy Cell Leukemia
Rare slow growing cancer where too many lymphocytes are produced which affects the number of red blood cells and platelets that are produced. Cause is unknown. Symptoms include, fatigue, infection, and bleeding. Treatment through chemotherapy, biological treatment.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Risk factors include prior exposure to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and occurs most often in children. Symptoms include; fever, paleness, pinpoint red spots, swollen glands, loss of appetite, fatigue, bone and joint pain, and being easily bruised. Treatment involves chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Progresses slowly, cause unknown. Symptoms include: fever, loss of weight, fatigue, night sweats. Treatment involves chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
- Myeloproliferative Disorders
- Bone marrow disease which results in a ploriferation of blood cells, mainly red, being produced. Occurs most often in middle aged, obese, hypertensive men. Symptoms includes; breathing difficulties when lying down, dizziness, excessive bleeding, headache, itchiness, shortness of breath. enlarged spleen creating a sense of fullness in the upper left abdomen. Treatment to decrease blood thickness (Phlebotomy). Aspirin to thin the blood.
- Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia
- Increased secretion of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-B resulting in fibroblastic proliferation in the bone marrow. Symptoms include; Anaemia, fatigue and pallor, splenomegaly.
- Plasma Cell Dyscrasias
Plasma cells in the bone marrow produce large amount of abnormal antibodies known as paraprotein, which lacks the capacity to fight infection. Symptoms include, bone pain, fatigue, infections, bone fractures, anaemia, and kidney damage. Treatment involves chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
Overproduction of IgM antibodies. Symptoms include; bleeding gums, blurred or decreased vision, dizziness, numbness, rash, weight loss, vision loss in one eye. Treatment, chemotherapy and periodic plasmapheresis.