Blood Cancer
Overview
As its name suggests, this type of cancer affects the production and function of your blood cells. This type of cancer starts in bone marrow which is the integral source of blood production. Stem cells in your bone marrow mature and develop into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. In case of cancer, the blood production process is interrupted due to the growth of an abnormal type of blood cell. The various types include Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma.
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Leukemia
This blood cancer type is caused by the rapid production of abnormal blood cells in the bone marrow. These abnormal blood cells affect the bone marrow's ability of the production of red blood cells and platelets. -
Lymphoma
This type of blood cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the removal of excess fluids from your body and producing immune cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. Abnormal lymphocytes become lymphoma cells, which grow uncontrollably in your lymph nodes and other tissues. -
Myeloma
This type of blood cancer affects the plasma cells, which are white blood cells responsible for the production of disease-fighting antibodies in the body. Myeloma affects the production of plasma cells which results in a weak immune system.
Blood cancer is a type of malignancy that affects the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. Some of the common symptoms of blood cancer in female and male include:
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Bleeding gums
- Shortness of breath
- Delirium and confusion
- Excessive or easy bruising
- Frequent vomiting sensations
- Recurrent infections or fever
- Sweating of body during night
- Weakness, Fatigue, and Malaise
- Lymph node (gland) enlargement
- Abdominal pain, Bone pain and Back pain
- Occurrence of fine rashes on dark spots
- Headaches along with visual difficulties
- Minimal body strain results in bone fractures
- Decreased urination and difficulty while urinating
- Lumps or abdominal distension due to enlarged abdominal organs
- Abnormal bleeding in gums nose and cuts, which will lead to platelet reduction
Factors that are associated with an increased risk of blood cancer include:
- Aging
- Certain infections
- Weak immune system
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Family history of leukemia
- Blood disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome
- Previous cancer treatment or exposure to radiation therapy
- Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene and other petrochemicals
- Genetic factors such as those with Down’s syndrome have a higher risk of developing leukemia.
- Viruses such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) & HTLV-1 (Human T-lymphotropic virus)
The primary objective of blood cancer treatment is the complete eradication of cancer. Several therapies are provided by blood cancer hospital in India for this disease. A few of them are as follows-
- Biological therapy to kill cancers
- Chemotherapy
- Bone Marrow Transplantation - This is typically a procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Max Healthcare’s HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered Bone Marrow Transplant unit offers stem cell transplantation for both benign and malignant conditions in children and adults.
- The Department of Haemato-oncology is committed to improving the outlook for patients with myeloma by developing novel therapeutic approaches based on a sound knowledge of the biology of the disease.
- A highly specialized team comprising of Haemato-oncologists & radiation oncologists provide treatment for a variety of cancers like lymphomas, leukemia and multiple myelomas.
Other Conditions & Treatments
- Bone Cancer
- Brain Cancer Treatment
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Ewings Sarcoma
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
- General Chemotherapy
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Head & Neck Cancer
- Hematology Oncology
- Hodgkins Lymphoma
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Musculoskeletal Oncology
- Neuro Oncology
- Neuroblastoma
- Oesophagus (Foodpipe) Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Paediatric Oncology
- Pancreas Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Skin Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Thoracic Oncology
- Thyroid Cancer
- Urologic-Oncology
- Vulval (Vulvar) Cancer Treatment