Types Of Blood Cancer
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer where the White Blood Cells (WBC) production increases rapidly either lymphoid or myeloid. Rapid production of WBCs in the bone marrow crowd it, which affects the bone marrow’s Red Blood Cells and platelets production ability, stop fighting infection properly. Blood cancers are further categorized by their characteristics, such as if they are fast growing (acute) or slow-growing (chronic). Severe blood cancer spreads very rapidly and can be fatal if not treated immediately. The four major types of leukemia are:
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
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Myeloma
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Lymphoma
Causes Of Blood Cancer
Although the actual cause of blood cancer is not known yet, but there are various factors that are associated with it. Some of the triggering causes are:- Ageing
- Family history of blood cancer and Genetic Predisposition
- Weak immune system
- Certain infections in blood or in the body
- Chemical exposure
- Radiation exposure
Symptoms Of Blood Cancer
Due to imbalance in the different types of blood cells, the symptoms of blood cancer occurs. Depending on the type of blood cancer and the stage of the blood cancer, the symptoms can be different from person to person. Here are some usual symptoms of blood cancer, which include:- Anemia
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever or infections
- Pain in the bone
- Night sweats
- Thrombocytopenia
- Swelling in liver or spleen
- Swelling in lymph nodes
Blood Cancer Treatment
Blood cancer treatment is undertaken to eradicate blood cancer completely from the body. Several types of treatment and therapies are now available to treat blood cancer. Depending on the stage of blood cancer, which the patient is in, blood cancer treatment is provided. Also, age of the patient, type of blood cancer, and growth of cancer are the few important factors considered while giving blood cancer treatment.Some usual blood cancer treatment include:
- Stem cell transplantation: This procedure involves infusion of healthy blood-forming stem cells into the body. Stem cells are collected from the bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and circulating blood in the body.
- Chemotherapy: This procedure involves using anti-cancer drugs that stop and kill the cancer cells that exist in the body. It also involves the use of a set drug regimen consist of several medications together. This treatment may be given before or even after stem cell transplantation.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy, also called biological therapy, utilizes your own immune system to fight cancer. It generally results in fewer short-term side effects than chemotherapy does.
- Radiation therapy: This therapy is used to kill the cancer cells and to relieve the associated pain or discomfort. It may give before or after stem cell transplantation.
