Signs That You Have Blood Cancer
Blood cancer is a form of cancer that grows in blood cells and bone marrow. It is also known as hematologic cancer. This vital disease changes the normal function and behavior of blood cells. There are three major types of blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Each is identified based on the type of blood cells they attack and how fast or slow the cancer cells grow. Know more about the signs of cancer and its different types here.
There are three types of blood cells. White blood cells are a part of the body’s immune system that fends off any infection. On the other hand, red blood cells bring oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs, and carry carbon dioxide to the lungs to help in exhalation. Lastly, platelets play a role in healing injuries through blood clot.
Blood cancers force the bone marrow and lymphatic system to create dysfunctional blood cells.
Symptoms of blood cancer
- Fever, chills
- Persistent fatigue, weakness
- Loss of appetite, nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Bone/joint pain
- Abdominal discomfort
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent infections
- Itchy skin or skin rash
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms or groin
There different types of blood cancer:
Leukemia
- Leukemia affects the white blood cells. People with leukemia create unhealthy white blood cells that can’t counteract infections. Leukemia is divided into four variations determined by the type of blood cell it attacks and its severity—acute or chronic.
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia - This type of blood cancer makes the blood marrow to produce lymphocytes that will eject healthy white blood cells.
- Acute myeloid leukemia - this begins in myeloid cells, growing into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, diminishing the health of each type of blood cells.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - This happens in the lymphocytes located in the bone marrow, which grows more slowly.
- Chronic myeloid leukemia - this blood cancer occurs in myeloid cells but grows slowly and gradually. This blood cancer occurs in myeloid cells but grows slowly and gradually.
Lymphoma
- This type of cancer affects the lymph system, which is composed of lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland. These carry white blood cells to prevent the body from getting infected. People with weak immune systems have a higher chance to get this type of blood cancer. Lymphoma is classified into two types.
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma - This type grows in immune cells called B lymphocytes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma - This begins in B lymphocytes or T cells
Myeloma
- Myeloma takes place in the bone marrow but focuses on the plasma cells. These are a type of white blood cells that creates antibodies. Myeloma cells infect the bone marrow, damaging the bones and destroying healthy blood cells. This illness also forces the bone marrow to make dysfunctional antibodies.
Treatment for blood cancer
- Chemotherapy - this is a major medication taken through a pill or injection directly into the vein.
- Targeted therapy - this focuses on targeting specific abnormalities present in cancer cells and blocks them through targeted drug treatments.
- Radiation therapy - this utilizes X-rays and other high-energy beams to kill leukemia cells and postpone their growth.
- Bone marrow transplant - this treatment replaces an unhealthy bone marrow with a healthier bone marrow with leukemia-free stem cells
- Immunotherapy - this treatment boosts immune system to fight cancer
Medical centre in Abu Dhabi
Adam and Eve Specialized Medical Centre’s internal medicine doctor will provide you the necessary steps to completely recover from blood cancer. If you are experiencing some symptoms of blood cancer, consult our internal medicine doctor in Abu Dhabi as soon as possible.
