Blood Cancer

Blood cancer or leukaemia is the cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal reproduction of blood cells (usually white blood cells). However, Leukaemia is a broader term which incorporates a spectrum of diseases. This is a malignant form of blood- formulating organs.

What is blood cancer?

Blood cancer represents a large group of different malignancies. This group includes cancers of the bone marrow, blood, and lymphatic system, which includes lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and digestive tract lymphoid tissue. Leukemia and myeloma, which start in the bone marrow, and lymphoma, which starts in the lymphatic system, are the most common types of blood cancer. What causes these cancers is not known. As leukemia and myeloma grow within the bone marrow, they can interfere with the bone marrows ability to produce normal blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can cause frequent infections, anemia, and easy bruising. Lymphomas, which most typically appear as enlargement of the lymph nodes, can also interfere with the bodys ability to fight infections. Additionally, myelomas generate a substance that weakens bones, and produce abnormal proteins that can cause symptoms in other parts of the body. Treatment of blood cancers has undergone substantial improvements, resulting in increased rates of remission and survival. Remission occurs when there is no sign of cancer. Today in the United States, almost 1 million people are alive with, or in remission from, blood cancer (Source: LLS). People who have blood cancer can have problems with bleeding and serious infections. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for symptoms such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe sweating, difficulty breathing, pale or blue lips or fingernails, high fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit), fast heart rate, confusion, loss or change in level of consciousness, or anxiety. Seek prompt medical care if you have experienced unexpected weight loss, persistent fever, frequent infections, night sweats, tiredness, bone pain, or enlarged lymph nodes.

What are the symptoms of blood cancer?

Blood cancer can produce a variety of symptoms, or none at all.
Common symptoms of blood cancer

Symptoms of blood cancer can include:

Abdominal pain, especially in the upper abdomen Bone or joint pain Easy bleeding or bruising Enlarged liver and glands, such as the spleen and lymph nodes Fatigue Fever and chills Frequent infections Frequent urination Nausea, which may be described as feelings of wooziness, queasiness, retching, sea-sickness, car-sickness or upset stomach Night sweats Unexplained weight loss

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, blood cancer can be life threatening, especially if severe infections or uncontrollable bleeding occur. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit) Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing Seizure Severe abdominal pain Uncontrolled or heavy bleeding

Types of Leukaemia :
Leukaemia is clinically divided into several large groups which include division in between its acute and chronic forms :

Acute Leukaemia : the rapid increase of immature blood cells is known as acute leukaemia. This accumulation of excessive immature blood cells hinders the reproduction of healthy blood cells by the bone marrow resulting into the stage of blood cancer. This form of leukaemia occurs in children and young

adults mainly. This rapid reproduction therefore requires immediate treatment else it spills over into bloodstream and spreads to the other healthy organs of the body. Chronic Leukaemia : The excessive formulation of comparatively mature, but still abnormal blood cells in human body is characterised as chronic leukaemia. These cells reproduces at much higher speed than normal cells which results into formulation of many immature blood cells in the blood. It comparative affects the old age people than the young. The chronic leukaemia at times is monitored for before prescribing the treatment.

Symptoms of Blood Cancer :

In the case of blood cancer the bone marrow is damaged, which results into lack of blood platelets. These blood platelets are important for the process of blood clotting therefore in the patients suffering from blood cancer becoming bruised; bleeding excessively or developing pinprick bleeds are common features. Other main symptoms of the disease include :

These symptoms include fever, chills, night sweats. Headaches Swollen or bleeding gums Enlarged liver Infections frequently Pain in the bones Swollen tonsils Paleness Extreme weight loss.

Treatment of Blood Cancer :

Blood cancer is rather a cluster of cancers developed in the blood cells and therefore the patients with leukaemia requires special treatment. The special cancer centres can only meet those special needs. The treatment of blood cancer is a complete program which the patients have to follow in order to achieve best results. These include : 1. Chemotherapy : is the first method to destroy those leukaemic cells by the usage of anti cancer drugs. 2. Interferon therapy : is effective to slow down the rate of reproduction of the leukaemic cells and helps the immune system to build sufficient anti- leukaemia activity. 3. Radiation therapy : this therapy is effective to kill cancer cells with the process of exposure to high- energy radiations. 4. Stem Cell Transplantation : This procedure is required in order to enable treatment with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 5. Surgery : The surgery is performed for the removal of an enlarged spleen or to install a venous access device to give medications and withdraw blood samples.

How is blood cancer treated?

Goal of cancer treatment

The goal of blood cancer treatment is to permanently cure the cancer or to bring about a complete remission of the disease. Remission means that there is no longer any sign of the disease in the body, although it may recur or relapse later. Some blood cancers grow slowly enough that delaying treatment may be an option. If the decision to delay treatment is made, close follow-up, called watchful waiting, is needed so that significant progression can be identified and treatments can be started when needed.
Common treatments for blood cancer

Several therapies are available to treat blood cancers including:

Biological therapy to attack cancer cells Chemotherapy to attack cancer cells Participation in a clinical trial testing promising new treatments for blood cancers Radiation therapy to attack cancer cells Stem cell transplant to provide healthy stem cells that can make healthy blood cells Targeted therapy to attack cancer cells Watchful waiting to identify when to start treatment

Other treatments for blood cancer

Other therapies may be added to help with your general state of health and any complications of the cancer or its treatment including:

Anti-nausea medications if needed Antibiotics and other medications to reduce the likelihood of getting infections Blood transfusions to temporarily replace blood components (such as red blood cells or platelets) Dental care to manage oral symptoms of leukemia or chemotherapy Dietary counseling to help people with cancer maintain their strength and nutritional status Pain medications if needed to increase comfort Surgery to remove an enlarged spleen or to treat bone fractures Vaccinations to prevent diseases like the flu and pneumonia

Complementary treatments

Some complementary treatments may help some people to better deal with blood cancer and its treatments. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for full medical care. Complementary treatments may include:

Acupuncture Massage therapy Yoga

Hospice care

In cases in which blood cancer has progressed to an advanced stage and has become unresponsive to treatment, the goal of treatment may shift away from curing the disease and focus on measures to keep a person comfortable and maximize the quality of life. Hospice care involves medically controlling pain and other symptoms while providing psychological and spiritual support as well as services to support the patients family.

What are the potential complications of blood cancer?

Complications of untreated or poorly controlled blood cancer can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of blood cancer include:

Amyloidosis (rare immune-related disorder characterized by protein buildup in organs and tissues that can cause serious complications) Anemia (low red blood cell count) Broken bones Hypercalcemia (increased calcium in the blood) Hyperviscosity syndrome (thickened blood that is difficult for the heart to pump) Immune deficiency and frequent Infections Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) Kidney failure Peripheral neuropathy (disorder that causes dysfunction of nerves that lie outside your brain and spinal cord) Spread of cancer