Every day, another six New Zealand adults and children are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia, cancer of the cells making up the immune system, occurs when the white blood cells, normally used to fight infection, grow abnormally in the body. They develop a defect that stops them maturing or working properly. Other abnormalities can also occur in the bone marrow where the blood cells are made, leading to some other blood disorders including multiple myeloma.

Leukaemia can strike anyone at anytime and may occur without warning. Diagnosis can change a person's life overnight, as well as that of their family and friends. It can cause huge disruption, as treatment often needs to begin immediately, continuing for months or years.

People with leukaemia may experience some of the symptoms or signs of particular blood cell shortages. For example, loss of red blood cells may lead to fatigue and pale skin colouring, white blood cell and platelet loss may lead to repeated infections, red skin blotches, numerous bruises, nosebleeds and other bleeding.

Hodgkin lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term for cancer of the lymphatic system which is part of the body's immune system. Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare form of lymphoma characterised by a particular abnormal tumour cell, Reed Sternberg, not present in other forms of lymphoma. It is normally slow in onset with spreading painless large lymph glands, often in the neck.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Any lymphoma which is not Hodgkin is classified as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are more than 35 different subtypes of non-Hodgkin. The most common symptoms of lymphoma are painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin, night sweats, unexplained fever, weight loss, tiredness, and persistent itching all over the body. Some lymphoma, unlike leukaemia, can be localised in a particular tissue and can be either slow growing or aggressive.

Multiple myeloma

This is a condition where very mature lymphoid cells, called plasma cells, accumulate in the body, particularly in the bone marrow. These cells normally make antibodies and other substances to fight infections. Myeloma can remove calcium out of the bones and soften them. The main consequences of myeloma include bone pain and fractures, bone marrow failure, and kidney damage.

For more information, visit www.leukaemia.org.nz.