10 Bone Marrow Cancer Symptoms
The bone marrow is a tissue found within the cancellous or spongy portions of the bone. In mammals and birds, the bone marrow is the main site where hematopoiesis or new blood production happens. The bone marrow consists of hematopoietic cells, supportive stromal cells, and marrow adipose tissue. In humans, the bone marrow can mainly be found in the flat bones: ribs, sternum, vertebrae, and pelvic bones.
On average, the bone marrow accounts for 4 percent of total body mass. It is responsible for the production of about 500 billion blood cells a day. These new blood cells join the systemic circulation through the vasculature sinusoids that are permeable, located in the medullary cavity. Both the lymphoid and myeloid lineages of blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. However, the lymphoid cells will migrate to other organs such as the thymus to mature completely.
In severe diseases of the bone marrow such as leukemia, bone marrow transplants can be conducted as part of the treatment. There are several types of bone marrow cancer that are categorized depending on the type of cell affected, and other factors. Bone marrow cancer includes several types of leukemia and multiple myeloma. When it affects the plasma cells, it results in multiple myeloma. Plasma cells are produced by the immune system to make special proteins, known as antibodies, to fight off disease. On the other hand, leukemia refers to the malignant proliferation of immature white blood cells (of myeloid or lymphoid lineages) known as blasts, resulting in their accumulation in the bone marrow and the alteration of hematopoiesis. Conversely, lymphomas are a proliferation of lymphoid cells that usually form a mass. These may arise in a lymph node or extranodal tissue. This article looks at 10 bone marrow cancer symptoms.
