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Hematology Oncology
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.
Types of Blood Cancer:
Leukemia - This type of cancer 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, white 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 weak immune system
Signs and Symptoms
Some of the common blood cancer symptoms include:
- Weakness, Fatigue, and Malaise
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive or easy bruising
- Bleeding gums
- Recurrent infections or fever
- Minimal body strain results in bone fracture
- Sweating of body during night
- Weight loss
- Frequent vomiting sensations
- Anorexia
- Lymph node (gland) enlargement
- Lumps or abdominal distension due to enlarged abdominal organs
- Abdominal pain, Bone pain and Back pain
- Delirium and confusion
- Abnormal bleeding in gums nose and cuts, which will lead to platelet reduction
- Headaches along with visual difficulties
- Occurrence of fine rashes on dark spots
- Decreased urination and difficulty while urinating
Causes of Blood Cancer
Although the specific cause of blood cancer is unknown, various factors are associated with its onset. Some causes are:
- Aging
- Family history
- Weak immune system
- Certain infections
- Symptoms and Causes of Blood Cancer
- What Are the Treatments Available For Blood Cancer
- Know the Early Signs of Leukemia
- Do Blood Cancer Treatments Affect Fertility
- Know More on Blood Cancer aka Leukemia (Infographic)
- Leukemia and its treatment by chemotheraphy
- Is there Any Treatment Available for Multiple Myeloma
- Is Your Immune System Responsible for Causing Lymphatic Cancer
What is a Bone Marrow Transplant?
It is a medical procedure performed to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow . Bone marrow can be damaged by disease or infection. This procedure involves transplanting blood stem cells.
Bone marrow creates the following in the blood
- red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
- white blood cells, which fight infection
- platelets, which are responsible for the formation of clots
A bone marrow transplant replaces your damaged stem cells with healthy cells. This helps your body make enough white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells to avoid infections, bleeding disorders, or anemia.
Reasons for Bone Marrow Transplant
- Aplastic Anemia - marrow stops making new blood cells
- cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
- damaged bone marrow due to chemotherapy
- congenital neutropenia, which is an inherited disorder that causes recurring infections
- sickle cell anemia, which is an inherited blood disorder that causes misshapen red blood cells
- thalassemia, which is an inherited blood disorder where the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin, an integral part of red blood cells
Types of Bone Marrow Transplant
Autologous Transplants - Autologous transplants involve harvesting person’s own’s cell before beginning treatment
Allogeneic Transplants - Use of cells from a donor. The donor must be a close genetic match.
Treatment
The primary objective of blood cancer treatment is the complete eradication of cancer. Several therapies are provided by blood cancer hospitals in India for this disease.
A few of them are as follows:
- 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 stat-of-the-art HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered Bone Marrow Transplant unit offers stem cell transplantation for both benign and malignant conditions in children and adults.
- Biological therapy to kill cancer (Immunotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
The Department of Haemato-oncology is committed to improve 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 state-of-the-art treatment for a variety of cancers like lymphomas, leukemia and multiple myelomas.
FAQs
Can haematologic cancer be treated?
Many types of blood cancers are now highly treatable due to significant advancements in blood cancer treatments over the past few decades.
How does haematologic cancer affect the immune system?
Haematologic cancer can impact the body's immune system by reducing the number of healthy white blood cells and immunoglobulin deficiency. This can make infections and other health issues more likely.
What is the latest treatment for blood cancer?
CAR-T therapies have been approved as the latest treatment for various blood cell cancers, including myeloma, lymphoma, and certain types of leukaemia.
What is the duration of blood cancer treatment?
The complete course of treatment depends on the type of blood cancer. The intensity of the treatment may be adjusted based on the risk stratification of blood cancer and other prognostic factors.
Does blood cancer spread rapidly?
Acute leukaemia is a type of cancer that progresses rapidly. The white blood cells in the blood multiply quickly within days to weeks. A patient with acute leukaemia may not show symptoms or have abnormal blood tests until weeks or months before the diagnosis.
What are the side effects of haematologic cancer treatment?
Common side effects of hematologic cancer treatment include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, decreased blood cell count, oral ulceration and increased risk of infection.
Review
FAQs reviewed by Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Associate Consultant, Medical Oncology and Dr. Atul Sharma, Vice Chairman, Medical Oncology, Cancer Care / Oncology.
Tumor Board Timings
Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant - Tuesday - 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Central Tumour Board - Monday - 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Central Tumour Board - Friday - 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant - Tuesday - 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Central Tumour Board - Monday - 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Central Tumour Board - Friday - 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Central Tumour Board - Friday - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Central Tumour Board - Friday - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Central Tumor Board - Monday - 8:30am-9:30am
Central Tumor Board - Thursday - 8:30am-9:30am
Virtual Tumour Board PAN INDIA - Wednesday - 3:00 PM - 4:00 pm
Virtual Tumour Board PAN INDIA - Saturday - 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
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Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Real Patients, Real Stories.
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant for Multiple Myeloma
Treated by Dr. Amrita Chakrabarti, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant for Multiple Myeloma
Treated by Dr. Amrita Chakrabarti , Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
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