Common types of blood cancer include: 1  Leukemia: Cancer that originates in blood-forming tissue. 2  Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections. 2  Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells called lymphocytes.