Both lymphoma and myeloma are two types of cancers that start in the marrow, which is where your body makes blood cells. Because of this, these blood cancers affect the way your body fights infection and disease. Individuals may experience different signs and symptoms depending on the type of blood cancer and how much the disease has progressed.
Signs and symptoms can vary and show up in different parts of the body. Early on, these blood cancers may not cause any noticeable signs and symptoms until they start to grow and spread.
Individuals with myeloma may experience:
Meanwhile, lymphoma can cause:
The exact causes of both lymphoma and myeloma are still widely unknown. Several risk factors may increase someone’s chances of developing these cancers. Having one — or several — of these risk factors does not guarantee that someone will get cancer, though.
Risk factors for lymphoma include:
Meanwhile, risk factors for myeloma include:
If a patient is showing some of the signs and symptoms of lymphoma or myeloma, healthcare providers will inquire more into the patient’s personal and family medical history. They will perform a physical exam and order more tests like a complete blood count.
If a patient is suspected of having lymphoma, a doctor will need to perform a lymph node biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Different imaging tests may also be ordered, including:
To diagnose myeloma, doctors may order specific blood chemistry tests to determine what your calcium, albumin, creatine, and LDH levels are. They may also order a urine test and bone marrow aspiration biopsy to test a section of your bone marrow in the lab.
At The Oncology Institute, we specialize in delivering quality, compassionate care. Based on the type of cancer you have, the stage, and your overall health, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan. Through our different options, we are committed to changing oncology for the better.
At our clinics, we offer:
To learn more about our state-of-the-art medical care and how we can provide the most appropriate treatment, contact us today to request an appointment.
