In acute leukemia, there are a large number of blasts in the bloodstream. They are extremely immature and are not able to carry out their normal functions. The blasts are produced very quickly, and the leukemia progresses rapidly. In chronic leukemia, fewer blasts are present in the blood. These blasts are also more mature than those seen in acute leukemia, and they are able to carry out some of their normal functions.
Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly than does acute leukemia.
Lymphomas are a group of cancers found in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a series of nodes and vessels that play an important role in fighting infections. Generally, lymphomas are divided into two categories, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Because the lymphatic system circulates to many parts of the body, lymphoma can be found in almost any part of the body. Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy that is caused by an excess of plasma cells.