AL Amyloidosis
The term amyloidosis (a-mee-loid-o-sis) is used to describe a group of conditions where an abnormal protein called amyloid builds up in the body.
One type of amyloidosis is called AL amyloidosis. AL is the abbreviation for amyloid and light chain. Abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow produce light chains that form amyloid proteins. The amyloid proteins can accumulate in tissues and organs, disrupting their function. Amyloid deposits can build up almost anywhere in the body.
AL amyloidosis is often treated in a similar way to myeloma. See the myeloma booklet for more information.
Aplastic anaemia
Aplastic anaemia is a rare blood condition (but not a blood cancer) that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells. The word ‘aplastic’ refers to the inability to create new cells, in other words, that tissues in the body cannot grow or replicate.
Anaemia is when the number of red blood cells or more specifically, the haemoglobin in red blood cells that carrries oxygen, is lower than normal.
For more detailed information about aplastic anaemia you can view and download our fact sheet here
Haemophilia
Haemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder that affects people from birth. The blood of a person with haemophilia does not clot normally because they lack one or more of the plasma proteins needed to form a clot and stop bleeding. There are 13 main clotting factors (identified by roman numerals) that work together to produce a clot. If one factor is missing the chain reaction is broken, clots will not form properly, and bleeding will continue.
Haemophilia New Zealand provides support for people affected by haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. For more information, you can visit their website here
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
ITP (also known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenia) is a rare bleeding disorder associated with having a decreased number of platelets which is known as thrombocytopenia.
People with ITP have platelets that are coated with autoantibodies that shorten their lifespan and prevent them from being effective in the blood. The bone marrow tries to compensate for the lack of functional platelets by producing more platelets but sometimes the bone marrow cannot keep up with the high turn-over of platelets which results in thrombocytopenia. Because of their low platelets, people with ITP often have bleeding symptoms such as:
- Spontaneous bruising
- Bleeding from the gums or nose
- Tiny red or purple dots on the skin (petechiae)
- Heavy menstrual periods.
More severe bleeding symptoms include blood blisters on the inside of the mouth, and blood in the urine or stool.
Treatments for ITP vary depending on the platelet count, severity of symptoms, age, and general health.
For more detailed information about ITP, you can view and download our fact sheet here
The Platelet Disorder Support Association (USA) also has some useful information about ITP.
Mastocytosis
Mastocytosis is rare disorder that occurs when there are too many mast cells built up in your body. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell which helps the immune system to fight infection by releasing a chemical called histamine.
There are two main forms of mastocytosis:
- Cutaneous mastocytosis: affects the skin only.
- Systemic mastocytosis: affects parts of the body other than skin.
The symptoms of systemic mastocytosis differ from person to person and are based on the part of the body that is affected.
The Mast Cell Disease Society has more information about mastocytosis and other mast cell disorders.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
MGUS is a non-cancerous condition where there is an increased amount of abnormal protein in the blood and/or urine.
In MGUS, abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow produce an abnormal antibody, known as paraprotein.
MGUS doesn’t cause any symptoms and is usually picked up during a routine blood or urine test. People diagnosed with MGUS don’t require any treatment apart from regular follow-up by their doctor to have their protein levels checked. Over time a small number of people with MGUS may go on to develop myeloma . The risk of developing myeloma is extremely low with only 1% of people with MGUS developing myeloma each year.
For more detailed information about MGUS you can view and download our fact sheet here
Plasmacytoma
Plasmacytoma (plas-mar-sy-toe-mar) is a mass of myeloma cells that can form in the bone, skin, muscle or elsewhere in the body. If it is only found in one location, the condition is described as a solitary myeloma or solitary plasmacytoma.
A mass of myeloma cells outside the bone is called an extramedullary or soft tissue plasmacytoma.
A plasmacytoma can sometimes be successfully treated using radiotherapy alone but regular monitoring and follow-up is required in case it develops into myeloma. There is more information about myeloma in this booklet.
Thalassaemia
Thalassaemia is an inherited group of blood disorders affecting haemoglobin production. Haemoglobin is a protein in the blood that carries oxygen around the body. A reduction in the number of haemoglobin cells causes anaemia and, if left untreated, it can be life-threatening as the vital organs of the body, including the heart, lungs and liver, may fail due to lack of oxygen.
Thalassaemia can be divided into two main categories, alpha thalassaemia and beta thalassaemia, depending on which part of the haemoglobin is deficient. These can then be divided into three further classifications – thalassaemia minor, thalassaemia intermedia, and thalassaemia major. The treatment for each classification may vary slightly, depending on the individual and the clinical symptoms experienced.
More information on thalassaemia and related disorders can be found on the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Australia website.
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL or APML)
APML is a form of blood cancer that affects your white blood cells. It is a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
It occurs when there is an abnormal build-up of an immature type of white blood cell, called promyelocytes, in the bone marrow. These immature cells are unable to function properly and grow out of control, often quickly. They crowd out other healthy blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) in the bone marrow and in the bloodstream.
The Leukaemia Care UK website has some useful information about APML/APL.
Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML)
CMML is a form of leukaemia characterised by high numbers of white blood cells, called monocytes, in the bloodstream and bone marrow. CMML has features of both myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Around 50% of people diagnosed with CMML have a high white blood cell count that resemble an MPN. The other 50% have a normal or reduced white blood cell count which is more similar to MDS.
The Leukaemia Foundation (Australia) has some useful information about CMML. Click here to learn more.
Plasma cell leukaemia
Plasma cell leukaemia, also called plasma cell myeloma, is when a significant amount of abnormal plasma cells have left the bone marrow and are released into the bloodstream.
Plasma cell leukaemia is considered to be a more advanced form of myeloma and usually requires more intensive treatment and monitoring. There is more information about myeloma in this booklet.
POEMS syndrome
POEMS syndrome is a rare type of plasma cell disorder that can affect multiple systems in the body, named after the five common features of the syndrome.
Polyneuropathy (damage to peripheral nerves)
Organomegaly (abnormal enlargement of organs)
Endocrinopathy (damage and change of function to the endocrine system, affecting hormones)
Monoclonal gammopathy (overproduction of abnormal plasma cells)
Skin changes (becoming harder and/or darker in places and more hair growth).
Treatment for POEMS syndrome is different for everyone but usually involves chemotherapy and close monitoring by the healthcare team.
Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (WM)
Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a rare type of blood cancer that may be referred to as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.
Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia affects a specific type of white blood cell called B-lymphocytes (B-cells) which become abnormal (cancerous). These abnormal cells (called lymphoplasmacytic cells) grow more quickly than normal cells would and can grow and build up in areas such as lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, lungs, brain and spine.
As the cancer cells build up in the body, they make large amounts of a protein called immunoglobulin M (IgM) which circulates in the bloodstream and can cause the blood to become thicker.
Some people with WM experience symptoms caused by abnormal cancer cells and/or IgM proteins, while others can be asymptomatic for a long time.
For more useful information about WM follow the links below:
Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Study Involving CART-WHEEL
MacMillian Cancer Support (UK)
Leukaemia Foundation Australia
International Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF)
