Bone Marrow Cancers
Bone Marrow Cancer Symptoms: What is Marrow Cancer?
Cancer affecting the bone marrow causes different symptoms depending on its type. Your oncologist can tell you what cancer you have, as well as what symptoms and treatment you will receive. Marrow is the sponge-like material inside your bones. Deep within the bone marrow are stem cells that can develop into red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), or platelets. Bone marrow cancer occurs when cells in the bone marrow begin to grow abnormally or faster. Cancer that starts in the bone marrow is called bone marrow cancer or blood cancer. Bone marrow cancer is different from bone cancer. Other types of cancer can spread to your bones and bone marrow, but they are not classified as bone marrow cancer. Read on to learn about the different types of bone marrow cancer, how they are diagnosed, and what you can expect.
Symptoms of Bone Marrow Cancer:
Symptoms will depend on the type of cancer you have.
Multiple myeloma Symptoms:
The most common type of bone marrow cancer is multiple myeloma. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Weakness and fatigue caused by anemia or RBC deficiency
- Infections caused by leukopenia or lack of normal WBCs
- Bleeding and bruising due to thrombocytopenia or low blood platelets
- Frequent urination
- Extreme thirst
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Drowsiness
- Confusion due to hypercalcemia, which is a high level of calcium in the blood
- Bone pain or weakened bones
- Kidney damage or kidney failure
- Tingling due to peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage
Leukemia Symptoms:
Leukemia usually affects WBCs. Some signs and symptoms of leukemia include:
- Fever and chills
- Weakness and fatigue
- Frequent or severe infections
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Easily bruising or bleeding, including frequent nosebleeds
- Petechiae, or small red spots on the skin
- Excessive sweating
- Night sweats
- Bone pain
Lymphoma Symptoms:
Lymphoma can start in the lymph nodes or bone marrow. Some signs and symptoms of lymphoma include:
- Fever and chills
- Low energy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling in the neck, armpit, arm, leg or groin
- Night sweats
- Nerve pain, numbness and tingling
- Feeling of fullness in the stomach
- Chest or lower back pain
- Rash or itching
Types of Bone Marrow Cancer:
There are three main types of bone marrow cancer.
Multiple Myeloma:
Multiple myeloma begins in plasma cells. These are WBCs that produce antibodies to protect your body against foreign invaders. It occurs when your body starts producing too many plasma cells. This can lead to bone loss and a decreased ability to fight infections.
Leukemia:
In leukemia, the body produces abnormal blood cells that do not die as they should. As their numbers increase, they aggregate WBCs, RBCs, and platelets, impairing the functions of these cells and platelets. Acute leukemia involves immature blood cells called blasts, and symptoms can progress rapidly. Chronic leukemia involves more mature blood cells. The symptoms of chronic leukemia may be mild at first, so you may not realize you have the disease for years.
There are many types of leukemia, including:
- Acute myeloid leukemia affecting children and adults
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia affecting children and adults
- Chronic myeloid leukemia, which mainly affects adults
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia affecting adults
Lymphoma:
In lymphoma, lymphocytes grow out of control, forming tumors and making it difficult for your immune system to do its job. There are two main types of lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin disease, begins in specific B lymphocytes. The other type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma begins in B or T lymphocytes. It also has many subspecies.
Causes of Bone Marrow Cancer:
It is not clear what causes bone marrow cancer. Contributing factors may include:
- Exposure to toxic chemicals found in solvents, fuels, engine exhaust, some cleaning products, or agricultural products
- Exposure to atomic radiation
- Certain viruses, including HIV, hepatitis, some retroviruses, and some herpes viruses
- A suppressed immune system or plasma disorder
- Genetic conditions or family history of bone marrow cancer
- Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Smoking
- Obesity
Bone Marrow Cancer Diagnosis:
If you have signs or symptoms of bone marrow cancer, the doctor will review your medical history and perform a complete physical examination. Depending on these signs and your symptoms, diagnostic tests may include:
- Blood tests such as complete blood count, complete metabolic profile and tumor markers
- Urine tests to check protein levels and evaluate kidney function
- Bone marrow or a lymph node biopsy to check for the presence of cancerous cells
- Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and X-rays to look for evidence of tumors
Biopsy results can confirm a diagnosis of bone marrow cancer and provide information about the specific type of cancer. Imaging tests can help determine how far the cancer has spread and which organs are affected.
Bone Marrow Cancer Treatment:
Bone marrow cancer treatment varies from person to person. The specific type and stage of cancer at diagnosis, as well as other health considerations, are also important.
The Following Treatments Are Used for Bone Marrow Cancer:
- Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment designed to find and destroy cancer cells in the body. Your doctor will prescribe a medication or combination of medications based on your specific type of cancer.
- Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy delivers high-energy beams to a targeted area to kill cancer cells, reduce tumor size and relieve pain.
- Biological therapy. This therapy uses your own immune system to kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapeutic drugs. Targeted therapy drugs precisely attack specific types of cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, they prevent damage to healthy cells.
- Transplantation. During a bone marrow transplant, damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow from a donor. This treatment may include high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Also known as stem cell transplant.
- Participating in a clinical trial is another treatment option. Clinical trials are research programs that test new treatments that have not yet been approved for general use. They usually have strict eligibility rules. Your doctor can help you find information about trials that may be right for you.
