Blood Cancer Types

May 10, 2024 
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Leslie Popplewell, M.D., Hematologist and Medical Director of Hematology and Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant, City of Hope Atlanta

Blood cancers are different from other types of cancers. There are three main categories of disease, and within those categories there are different types of blood cancers, each with its own characteristics.

This guide to blood cancer types is designed to help patients understand these diseases.

Common Types of Blood Cancers

The three most commonly diagnosed types of blood cancer are lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma. Each is distinct, but all are types of cancer that form when blood and/or bone marrow cells don’t develop as they should.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops from cells in the lymphatic system (part of the body’s immune system) called lymphocytes. Types of lymphoma include:

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Cutaneous lymphoma
• Childhood lymphoma

Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that usually forms in blood cells or bone marrow. In most cases, leukemia forms in white blood cells, which help the body fight infections. When they grow out of control, leukemia cells crowd out healthy cells, making it hard for the body to control bleeding and fight infections. Leukemia types include:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia
• Chronic myeloid leukemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Childhood leukemia

Myeloma

Myeloma develops when a collection of plasma cells, which normally help the body develop antibodies, form tumors in the bone marrow. The tumors prevent normal reproduction of healthy blood cells. It is sometimes called bone marrow cancer or plasma cell myeloma.

Rare Blood Cancers

Other types of blood cancers are less common. These include those listed below.

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of six diseases in which bone marrow produces too many red or white blood cells or platelets. The six types include:

• Polycythemia vera
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia
• Essential thrombocythemia
• Primary myelofibrosis (also known as chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis)
• Chronic eosinophilic leukemia
• Chronic neutrophilic leukemia

Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It occurs when the body creates an increased amount of macroglobulin, a type of abnormal protein. It begins in the lymph cells (B cells) and is also called lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

If patients have questions about their blood cancer type and what it means for their treatment plan, their cancer care team is always ready to assist.