Know more about Blood cancer

Overview

Blood cancers occur due to abnormal cell growth in the blood. Such abnormality affects their functionality of producing new cells and fighting off the infected ones. It usually originates in the bone marrow. Blood cancer can be fatal since it can spread easily. Radiation therapy can help reduce blood cancer’s effects, but a complete cure is rare.

Types

Blood cancer can be of the following types:

• Leukemia: This is caused due to an irregular increase in the production of white blood cells. It weakens the ability of red blood platelets and makes it difficult to fight off infections.
• Myeloma: Here, cancer occurs in plasma cells. It weakens one’s immune system and makes one more prone to catching infections.
• Lymphoma: It refers to cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Like myeloma, lymphoma also affects the patient’s immune system extensively.
• Myelodysplastic syndrome: This arises when the blood marrow doesn’t produce sufficient healthy blood cells. The unhealthy blood cells won’t work properly, adversely affecting the patient’s immunity.
• Myeloproliferative disorder: Caused due to severe changes in the stem cells, the myeloproliferative disorder can be quite deadly. Fatigue, pale skin, weakness, loss of appetite and belly aches are all symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome.

Causes

Blood cancer is usually caused due to mutations in one’s DNA. Other tha this, certain risk factors could increase the chances of developing blood cancer. Some of them are:

• Smoking
• History of blood cancer in the family
• Exposure to harsh chemicals
• Age
• Males are at higher risk of contracting blood cancer than females
• History of any blood cancer in the past
• Obesity
• Weak immune system

Symptoms

The symptoms of blood cancer are as follows:

• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Back pain
• Bone pain
• Abdominal pain
• Rashes

Diagnosis

Several tests are conducted to diagnose blood cancer. Some of them are:

• Imaging scans: Imaging scans like CT, MRI, PET, X-ray and ultrasounds can be ordered by your doctor.
• Biopsy: A small part of the bone marrow and the lymph node may be extracted and examined to detect cancer.
• Blood test: Blood tests are vital since they show abnormalities in the blood count.

Treatment

Treatment for blood cancer will depend on the type of cancer, the patient’s age and the speed of its progression. However, generally, treatment for blood cancer may include the following:

• Chemotherapy: Here, specific anticancer drugs are used to stop the growth and progression of cancer cells.
• Stem cell transplantation: Here, healthy blood-forming cells are infused into the body.
• Radiation therapy: This is conducted to relieve pain and destroy cancer cells.

Prevention

You can take certain measures to reduce the risks of contracting blood cancer. They are:

• Quit smoking
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Be physically active
• Don’t share needles
• Get regular medical checkups