Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma

Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow (in the case of leukemia and myeloma) or in lymphatic tissues (in the case of lymphoma).

Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are considered to be related cancers because they involve the uncontrolled growth of cells with similar functions and origins. The diseases result from an acquired (not inherited) genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell, which becomes abnormal (malignant) and multiplies continuously. The accumulation of malignant cells interferes with the body's production of healthy blood cells and makes the body unable to protect itself against infections.

An estimated 106,300 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2002. New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma account for 8.3 percent of the 1,284,900* new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year.

Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will cause the deaths of an estimated 58,300 people in the United States this year. These blood cancers will account for nearly 10.5 percent of the deaths from cancer in 2002 based on the total of 555,500 cancer-related deaths (all sites).

Last Updated: 10/24/02

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