Blood cancers are a type of cancer that affects the blood and blood cells, and are caused by DNA mutations that cause abnormal blood cell behavior.
Blood cancers are more common in men than women, and account for about 10% of all diagnosed cancers in the U.S. each year.
Summit Gaur, M.D. Oncology/Hematology medical expert with Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso can speak on what blood cancers are and what the common symptoms are.
Some common blood cancers include:
- Leukemia: A cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells.
- Lymphoma: A cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which produces immune cells and removes excess fluids from the body.
- Myeloma: A common type of blood cancer.
Some symptoms of blood cancer include:
- Severe fatigue
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Lymph node swelling
- Coughing or chest pain
- Frequent infections
- Fever or chills
- Unexplained rash, bruising, or bleeding
- Itchy skin
- Loss of appetite or nausea
