Leukemias and Lymphomas

Leukemias and lymphomas are cancers arising from cells of the hematopoetic lineage (hence: hematological cancers). Leukemias originate from hematopoetic stem cells or cells at different stages of myeloid or erythroid differentiation which spread throughout the body. Lymphomas also develop from more differentiated lymphoid cells in lymphoid organs and may present as localized cell masses. Hematological cancers can be classified by their derivation from erythroid, myeloid, or lymphoid cells at specific stages of development as determined by their morphology and by protein markers.