Blood cancer

 

 

Blood cancer is a combined term for cancer of bone marrow, blood, and lymphatic system (a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials). Blood cancer affects the production and function of blood cells.

Three main categories of blood cancer are:

1. Leukemia -- It is a rapid production of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow that crowd out healthy blood cells and lose the ability to fight against infections.

2. Lymphoma -- It is a type of cancer that starts in cells called lymphocytes affecting the entire lymphatic system. Abnormal lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) become lymphoma cells and lose their ability to fight against infections.

3. Myeloma -- This type of cancer affects plasma cells in the bone marrow

 

 

The risk of blood cancer increases with age and affects men more than women. At times, blood cancer affects children under the age of 15 years. One or more of the following factors are associated with the development of the disease. This includes:

1. Genetic association: If a close family member has had the condition, the risk is higher

2. Immunodeficiency diseases: Immunodeficiency diseases including AIDS lead to development of blood cancer

3. Immunosuppression: An immunosuppressive therapy suppresses the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight off new illnesses.

4. Exposure to carcinogens: Long-term exposure to pesticides or industrial chemicals like benzene is a risk factor for blood cancer.

5. Smoking: It may lead to development of blood cancer

 

 

Common symptoms of blood cancer include:

1. Painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes

2. Unexplained fever

3. Night sweats

4. Loss of appetite

5. Unexplained weight loss

6. Shortness of breath

7. Fatigue

8. Bone pain

9. Chest pain

10. Itchy skin

11. Sensation of bloating or fullness (due to enlargement of liver or spleen)

12. Abdominal pain

13. Anemia

 

 

Diagnosis of blood cancer is done by asking history of signs and symptoms, medical examination followed by biopsy, imaging tests, and confirmatory blood tests.

1. Blood test: CBC (complete blood count) is ordered to check presence of cancer cells in the blood

2. Imaging tests: It include x-rays, CT (computerized tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or PET (positron emission tomography) to confirm the organs that are involved

3. Biopsy: Lymph node and bone marrow biopsy is performed to identify and grade the type of blood cancer

 

 

These include:

1. Medications: Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs in the form of pills, or injections to destroy cancer cells.

2. Immunotherapy: It is a form of treatment in which man-made antibodies called monoclonal antibodies are designed to attack a specific target to kill cancer cells or slow their growth to boost patient’s immune system.

3. Surgery: Stem cell transplant is a procedure where healthy blood-forming cells are infused into the body. Bone marrow transplantation enables replacing the cancerous cells with healthy cells. Removal of affected lymph nodes might be done too, to control the spread of cancer.

4. Others: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells

5. Diet rich in antioxidants has proven to be helpful for patients with blood cancer.

Cancer support group: Often patients are advised to join cancer support group to ease the stress of illness.

 

 

Undiagnosed and undertreated blood cancer may lead to the following complications:

1. Symptoms due to pressure of swollen lymph nodes on other tissues

2. Severe anemia leading to heart failure, heart attack

3. Internal bleeding

4. Infarction of spleen and liver due to overload with cancer cells