Overview
As its name suggests, this type of cancer affects the production and function of a patient’s blood cells. This type of cancer starts in bone marrow which is the integral source of blood production. Stem cells in bone marrow mature and develop into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In case of cancer, the blood production process is interrupted due to the abnormal growth of of blood cells.
Blood Cancer Is of Three Types:
- Leukemia - This type of cancer is caused by the rapid production of abnormal blood cells in the bone marrow. These abnormal blood cells affect the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells and platelets.
- Lymphoma - This type of blood cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the removal of excess fluids from the body and producing immune cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that fight infection. Abnormal lymphocytes become lymphoma cells, which grow uncontrollably in the lymph nodes and other tissues.
- Myeloma - This type of blood cancer affects the plasma cells, which are white blood cells responsible for the production of disease-fighting antibodies in the body. Myeloma affects the production of plasma cells which results in weakening of immune system.
Signs and Symptoms
Blood cancer is a type of malignancy which affects the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. Some of the common blood cancer symptoms are:
- Weakness, Fatigue, and Malaise
- Shortness of breath
- Minimal body strain results in bone fractures
- Excessive or easy bruising
- Bleeding gums
- Recurrent infections or fever
- Sweating of body during night
- Weight loss
- Frequent vomiting sensations
- Anorexia
- Lymph node (gland) enlargement
- Lumps or abdominal distension due to enlarged abdominal organs
- Abdominal pain, Bone pain and Back pain
- Delirium and confusion
- Abnormal bleeding in gums nose and cuts, which will lead to platelet reduction
- Headaches along with visual difficulties
- Occurrence of fine rashes on dark spots
- Decreased urination and difficulty while urinating
Causes of Blood Cancer
Although the specific cause of blood cancer is unknown, various factors are associated with its onset. Some causes are:
- Aging
- Family history
- Weak immune system
- Certain infections
Blood Cancer Treatment
The primary objective of blood cancer treatment is the complete eradication of cancer. Several therapies are provided by blood cancer hospitals in India for this disease. A few of them are as follows :
- Biological therapy to kill cancers
- Chemotherapy
- Bone Marrow Transplantation - This is typically a procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells.
- The Department of Haemato-oncology, Medanta Hospital, Lucknow is committed to treat patients by developing novel therapeutic approaches based on a sound knowledge of the biology of the disease.
- A highly specialized team comprising haemato-oncologists and radiation oncologists provide & treat a variety of cancers like lymphomas, leukemia and multiple myelomas.
