What is Blood Cancer- An Overview?
Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer, starts in the bone marrow (a sponge-like, soft material in the centre of the bones).
Stem cells in the bone marrow mature and develop into three types of cells; red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. In most of the blood cancers, normal cell development and functioning is interrupted by an uncontrolled or abnormal growth of blood cells.
Types of Blood Cancer
The three major types of blood cancer are as follows:
1. Leukemia
One of the most common types of blood cancer, leukemia disease originates in the blood and bone marrow. It is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells, which interferes with the ability of the bone marrow to make red blood cells and platelets.
2. Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system (produces immune cells and removes excess fluids from the body) from cells called lymphocytes.
3. Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma starts in the plasma cells (white blood cells that generate antibodies to support the body’s immune system). The most common type of myeloma is multiple myeloma cancer.
Blood Cancer Symptoms
Even though each type of blood cancer is different, some blood cancer symptoms remain common. They can be as follows:
Chest pain or coughing
Persistent fever and frequent infections
Paleness
Night sweats
Unusual rash, bruising or bleeding
Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
Tender spots or pain in the bones
Diagnosis of Blood Cancer
Different types of procedures and tests may be used to diagnose blood cancer. The following tests may be done to diagnose blood cancer:
1. Biopsies
This is a type of test that collects samples of cells for examination in the laboratory. For blood cancers like lymphoma, a patient may be required to undergo a lymph node biopsy. Testing the bone marrow (bone marrow biopsies), where the cells are formed can also help diagnose different types of blood cancer.
2. Imagining scans
Imaging scans such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and positron emission tomography (PET) scan can help diagnose blood cancers. These tests detect bone or tissue damage, signs of leukemia and lymphoma affecting the spine and generate images of organs and tissues to identify signs of myeloma, respectively.
3. Blood tests
A complete blood count (CBC) shows the cell count of various components of blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Blood chemistry tests may also be recommended to measure levels of chemicals/key substances in the blood. Abnormal levels of a certain protein may offer information about a patient’s condition.
Blood Cancer Treatment
Blood cancer treatment will depend on a variety of factors including the type of cancer, age and the pace at which the cancer is progressing. Since, treatment of blood cancer has vastly improved over the last few decades, several cancers are now treatable. Common treatments for blood cancer include:
1. Chemotherapy: Anticancer drugs or chemicals are introduced into the body (via injection into the vein or by taking a pill) to halt the production and spread of cancer cells.
2. Radiation therapy: This form of blood cancer treatment uses high-energy rays to damage or kill cancer cells.
3. Targeted therapies: This type of blood cancer treatment uses drugs to specifically kill cancer cells, without damaging normal cells.
4. Stem cell transplantation: Healthy stem cells may be infused into the body to resume production of healthy blood cells following therapy to kill malignant cells.
5. Cancer surgery: This treatment involves surgical removal of affected lymph nodes to treat lymphomas.
6. Immunotherapy: This type of treatment activates and boosts the immune system to specifically kill cancer cells.
FAQs
1. What is the first stage of blood cancer?
In the first stage of blood cancer, a patient has enlarged lymph nodes and high levels of white blood cells.
2. How to prevent blood cancer?
Even though the cause of many blood cancers is unknown, avoiding excessive exposure to radiation, chemicals like benzene or pesticides and tobacco use in any form can reduce the risk of blood cancer. Additionally, regular exercise and a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of developing a variety of cancers.
3. What causes blood cancer?
All blood cancers are caused by mutations in the DNA within the blood cells. These changes or mutations cause the blood cells to behave abnormally.
4. Can blood cancer be inherited?
In some cases, blood cancers like leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), lymphoma and multiple myeloma are genetic. Among these, the genes responsible for inherited forms of MDS and acute leukemia disease are the best characterised.
Article By Dr. Gaurav Dixit
Unit Head - Haemato Oncology
Artemis Hospitals