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What Are the Causes of Bone Marrow Disease?

Bone marrow is a soft fatty tissue inside the bones that contains stem cells. Problems with the stem cells and how they develop can cause bone marrow diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloproliferative disorders, myelodysplastic syndrome and aplastic anemia.

  1. Leukemia

    • Leukemia is a type of cancer and disease of the white blood cells. Abnormally cloned cells are unable to fight infections. As they build, they prevent the production of other cells, causing frequent infections and other problems.

    Lymphoma

    • Lymphoma is a cancer of white blood cells occurring in the lymphatic system. The abnormal T-cell or B-cell reproduces itself, making more abnormal cells that spread throughout the body and causing abnormalities in the bone marrow.

    Myeloproliferative Disorders

    • Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of diseases that occur in the center of the bone marrow. They are characterized by the overproduction of an immature bone marrow cell, causing dysfunction throughout the body.

    Myelodysplastic Syndrome

    • Myelodysplastic syndrome is a group of diseases caused by the production of abnormal bone marrow cells.

    Aplastic Anemia

    • Aplastic anemia is caused by a defect in the stem cell producing red blood cells or an injury to the environment of the bone marrow.

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