Everything You Need To Know about Leukemia/ Blood Cancer
Leukemia is a cancer of the early blood-forming cells. In most of the cases, leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, but some leukemia can start in other blood cell types too. It is often described as being either acute (fast growing) or chronic (slow growing). There are different treatment options and outlooks for different types of leukemia, according to the stage.
Most of these cancers start in your bone marrow where blood is produced. Stem cells in your bone marrow mature and develop into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. In most blood cancers, the normal blood cell development process is interrupted by uncontrolled growth of an abnormal type of blood cell. These abnormal blood cells or cancerous cells, prevent your blood from performing many of its basic functions, like fighting off infections or preventing serious bleeding.
There are many different types of blood cancers, the common ones have been explained below but there are some rarer types as the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).
1. Leukemia: A type of cancer found in your blood and bone marrow which is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. The high number of abnormal white blood cells are not able to fight infection and they impair the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets.
2. Lymphoma:Â This is a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which removes excess fluids from your body and produces immune cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell whose primary function is to fight infection. Abnormal lymphocytes become lymphoma cells, which multiply and collect in your lymph nodes and other tissues. Over a period of time, these cancerous cells impair your immune system.
3. Myeloma:Â This is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that produce disease- and infection-fighting antibodies in your body. Myeloma cells are related to the prevention of the normal production of antibodies, leaving your bodyâs immune system weakened and easily prone to infection.
Causes/ Risk factors
A number of factors increase the risk of developing blood cancer. Not all people with risk factors will get blood cancer. Risk factors for blood cancer include:
· Advanced age
· Certain types of infections
· Compromised immune system due to such conditions as HIV/AIDS, taking corticosteroids or organ transplant
· Exposure to certain chemicals
· Exposure to radiation or certain types of chemotherapy
· Family history of blood cancer
· HIV/AIDS
· Solid organ transplant recipient
· Personal history of certain blood disorders
· Personal history of certain genetic disorders (Down syndrome)
· Smoking
Signs & Symptoms
· Unexplained weight loss
· Fatigue
· Feeling weak or breathless
· Easily bruise or bleed
· Enlarged lymph nodes
· Swollen stomach or abdominal discomfort
· Frequent and repeated infections
· Fever/night sweats
· Pain in bones/joints
· Itchy skin
· Bone pain (ribs/back)
Treatment & Care
There are several therapies available to treat blood cancers like
· Biological therapy to attack cancer cells
· Chemotherapy to attack cancer cells
· Radiation therapy to attack cancer cells
· Stem cell transplant to provide healthy stem cells which in turn can make healthy blood cells
· Targeted therapy to attack specific cancer cells or signaling proteins
· Watchful waiting to identify when to begin treatment
· Participation in clinical trial testing promising new treatments for blood cancers
Other treatments for blood cancer
Other than following the traditional methods for treatment, there are other therapies which can be added along with like
· Anti-nausea medications, if required
· Antibiotics and other medications to reduce the likelihood of getting infections
· Blood transfusions to temporarily replace blood components (like RBCâs or platelets)
· Dental care to manage oral symptoms of leukemia or chemotherapy
· Dietary consultation to help patients maintain their strength and nutritional status
· Pain medications, if required to increase comfort
· Vaccinations to prevent diseases like flu and pneumonia
At Capitol Hospital, we again stress on the fact that Cancer can be treated with a good success rate, if detected on time. So, keep your health check-ups regular and do not be afraid of knowing whatâs going on in your body. A healthy you is the best gift you can give your family and friends.
A successful treatment of cancer is possible, if detected at an early stage.
Read More Here:-Â https://www.capitolhospital.com/department-of-oncology/