Bone Marrow Cancer

Marrow is the sponge-like material inside your bones. Located deep within the marrow are stem cells, which can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Bone marrow cancer happens when cells in the marrow begin to grow abnormally or at an accelerated rate. Cancer that starts in the bone marrow is called bone marrow cancer or blood cancer, not bone cancer.

Symptoms

• weakness and fatigue due to shortage of red blood cells (anemia) bleeding and bruising due to low blood platelets (thrombocytopenia)
• infections due to shortage of normal white blood cells (leukopenia)
• extreme thirst
• frequent urination
• dehydration
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• drowsiness
• confusion due to high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia)
• bone pain or weakened bones
• kidney damage or kidney failure
• peripheral neuropathy, or tingling, due to nerve damage.

Causes

• exposure to toxic chemicals in solvents, fuels, engine exhaust, certain cleaning products, or agricultural products
• exposure to atomic radiation
• certain viruses, including HIV, hepatitis, some retroviruses, and some herpes viruses
• suppressed immune system or plasma disorder
• genetic disorders or family history of bone marrow cancer
• previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• smoking
• obesity

FAQ

not available currently