Blood cancer is cancer in white blood cells (WBCs). The blood has plasma (the liquid part), red blood cells, WBCs and platelets. Plasma transports the waste material, nutrients, proteins and other molecules that help in temperature control and fluid balance in the body. The red blood cells help in transporting oxygen to different organs in the body from the lungs. The WBCs have an immunity-providing function; the role of platelets is to prevent bleeding by forming blood clots.
WBCs regularly die and are regenerated. When suffering from blood cancer, the bone marrow produces abnormal WBCs, leading to cancer.
Leukaemia: A type of blood cancer that affects WBCs. Leukaemia is the most common blood cancer that takes place in children below the age of 15 years. In cancer, abnormal WBCs fail to protect the body against infections as they are unable to perform their functions. It either develops slowly (chronic) or fast (acute).
Lymphoma: This cancer affects the lymphatic system, which contains lymph nodes that are small structures that help in providing immunity against harmful substances. Generally, cancer affects the lymph nodes. This is the most common blood cancer in adults. This cancer develops on a type of WBC known as lymphocytes. The most well-studied type is Hodgkin’s lymphoma, while the others are known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Myeloma: This cancer acts on the lymphocytes, resulting in abnormal protein production. The myeloma lowers the body’s immunity and leads to infections occurring often along with kidney damage.
Stages
The leukaemia stages are listed below:
Stage 0: No symptoms with a high WBC count
Stage I: Enlarged lymph nodes with high WBCs count
Stage II: Anaemia with high WBC count, with or without enlarged lymph nodes
Stage III: Anaemia with high WBC cell count with an enlarged spleen or liver and may have an enlarged lymph node
Stage IV: High WBC count, low platelet count, and enlarged lymph nodes with an enlarged liver and may have anaemia
The stages of lymphoma are listed below:
Stage I: One lymph node or lymphoid organ is affected
Stage IE: One part of one organ outside the lymphatic system is affected
Stage II: Two or more lymph nodes are affected on the same side of the diaphragm (a muscle that separates the abdomen and chest)
Stage IIE: Cancer has spread to an organ next to a lymph node
Stage III: Lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm are affected, or lymph nodes above the diaphragm and the spleen are affected
Stage IV: At least one organ, such as the lungs, liver or bone marrow, is affected
The stages of multiple myeloma are listed below:
Stage I: Albumin levels should be at least 3.5 g/dL and serum beta-2 microglobulin below 3.5 mg/L and lactic acid dehydrogenase level is normal, and cytogenetics (study of chromosomes of the bone marrow) are not high risk
Stage II: Not stage I or stage III
Stage III: Serum beta-2 microglobulin is at least 5.5 mg/dL and cytogenetics are high risk and/or lactic acid dehydrogenase levels are high.
Symptoms
Depending on the blood cancer type, the symptoms may vary. Some common symptoms of blood cancer include:
Weakness
Fever
Fatigue
Pain in the bone and joint
Chills
Weight loss
Swelling of the lymph nodes, spleen and liver
Anaemia
Having any of these symptoms does not indicate that you definitely have blood cancer. You should consult the doctor for accurate diagnosis.
Causes And Risk Factors
Causes
The exact cause of cancer is unclear; however, certain factors increase the risk of developing cancers.
Risk Factors
Some risk factors of leukaemia include:
Exposure to high levels of radiation
Long-term exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene
History of chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Smoking
Rare genetic disorders, such as Down’s syndrome, Bloom syndrome and Fanconi anaemia
Some risk factors of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are listed below:
Autoimmune disorders, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren syndrome
People that are on immunosuppressants such as people that have had an organ transplant
People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections
Bacterial and viral infections, including infections because of Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C virus and Chlamydia psittacosis
Cigarette smoking
Eczema and psoriasis
Coeliac disease
Working with textiles and electricals
Drugs, including digoxin, phenytoin, and chemotherapy drugs
Organic chemicals, including hair dye, solvents, pesticides and wood preservatives
Radiation exposure
Some risk factors of multiple myeloma include:
Gender: Males are at a higher risk than women to develop multiple myeloma
Age: Most cases of multiple myeloma occur in older populations, with maximum cases diagnosed in the above 65 years population.
Obesity: The risk increases if a person has obesity.
Family history: The chances are higher if someone in the family has multiple myeloma.
Other plasma cell diseases: A person has a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma if they have another plasma cell disorder such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
Prevention
Blood cancers cannot be prevented; however, certain risk factors can be avoided, including:
Stopping smoking.
Minimising exposure to industrial chemicals and pesticides.
Avoiding any behaviour that could lead to HIV such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex.
Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and eating healthy.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of leukaemia can be made based on the following tests:
Complete blood count
Complete metabolic panel
Liver function tests
Coagulation panel
Peripheral blood smear
Bone marrow biopsy
The diagnosis for Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be made based on the following:
Laboratory tests, including complete blood count, erythrocyte sediment rate, complete metabolic panel, HIV, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus
Biopsy of lymph node or suspected organ
Diagnostic scans, including chest X-ray, PET scan and CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis
The diagnostic tests for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include the following:
Complete blood count
Serum chemistry tests
Imaging tests, including computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis, abdomen, chest and neck, magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord and positron emission tomography (PET) scan and a testicular ultrasound
Tissue or lymph node biopsy
Lumbar puncture (a procedure to remove some of the cerebrospinal fluid and send for testing)
Bone marrow biopsy
The diagnosis for multiple myeloma can be made based on the following tests:
Complete blood count
Peripheral blood smear
Differential blood count
Biochemistry panel, including renal function test, liver function test, creatinine, calcium, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase and electrolyte test
24-h urine for monoclonal protein levels
Bone marrow biopsy
X-ray, MRI of the thoracic and lumbar spine and pelvis, CT scan, PET scan
Some conditions that can have similar symptoms such as leukaemia include:
Copper deficiency
Autoimmune conditions, including lupus
Vitamin B12 and vitamin B9 deficiencies
Viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus, HIV or cytomegalovirus infection
Some conditions that have symptoms such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Peripheral T cell lymphoma
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Infectious mononucleosis
Some conditions that can have similar symptoms to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are listed below:
Epstein-Barr virus infection
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Lupus
Appendicitis
Obstruction of the intestine
Metastasis of the primary tumour such as soft tissue carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Some conditions that can have symptoms similar to multiple myeloma include:
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Smoldering multiple myeloma
Treatment
Depending on the type of blood cancer and its stage, the treatment varies. Some of the most common cancer treatments include:
Chemotherapy: Usage of extremely potent drugs that can prevent new cancer cells from growing while killing old cancer cells is known as chemotherapy. It may either be intravenously or orally given. Either one or more may be required depending on how complicated the cancer case is.
Stem cell therapy/Bone marrow transplant: Young stem cells are implanted in the body. These stem cells will produce new and healthy cells. The stem cells can be harvested from different organs, including umbilical cord cells, bone marrow and blood cells.
Radiation therapy: This may be given through either stem cells or medicines. This kills multiple cancer cells together. This may be given before stem cell therapy.
Cancer surgery: If surgery is required, the affected lymph nodes may be required. This is commonly prescribed for lymphoma.
Targeted therapy: This therapy will act specifically targeting the cancer cells without affecting the normal cells around them. This is commonly prescribed for leukaemia.
Immunotherapy: This is a specific treatment that makes the immune system fight and destroys cancer cells.
Lifestyle/management
Lifestyle changes after you get diagnosed with blood cancer will help you keep yourself healthy to withstand the treatment, keep your immune system strong and make you emotionally healthy.
Some changes to make include:
Quit smoking. This will improve immunity to fight cancer.
Reduce the risk of getting an infection by avoiding crowded spaces, washing your hands regularly and regularly cleaning high-contact surfaces.
Exercise regularly. This will help in improving stamina and keeping a positive outlook.
Eat healthy. The food will provide energy and improve the overall mood.
Make time for rest. The most common complaint for people is feeling tired. The day should be planned in such a manner as to allocate time for rest.
Prognosis And Complications
Prognosis
The leukaemia prognosis develops on different factors, including comorbidities, age and type of leukaemia. There has been an improvement in the five-year survival rate of ~26% in the past few years.
The prognosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma depends on different factors, including the stage of cancer. The five-year survival rate of stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma is ~60%, while it is much higher in stage I and II at ~90%.
The five-year survival rate of people with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is ~72%. Depending on the type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the survival rate differs.
Concomitant diseases can affect the survival rates in older patients with multiple myeloma. In younger patients, concomitant diseases are considerably lower. The five-year survival rate for people with multiple myeloma is ~35%.
Complications
Some complications of leukaemia include:
Infection
Cancer
Tumour lysis syndrome (the destruction of tumour cells causes the tumour cell contents to release into the blood, and the kidneys cannot excrete them at the same rate, causing an excess of uric acid, potassium and phosphorus in the blood)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (a bleeding disorder)
Certain complications of Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:
Cardiac disease, including coronary artery disease, diseases in the heart valve and inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart
Secondary cancer with the most common cancer as lung cancer
Other cancers, including thyroid cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer
Infertility
Infections
Depression
Certain complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:
Obstruction of the major blood vessel that transports blood to the heart for pumping
Compression of the spinal cord or brain
Improper functioning of the liver
Very high WBC count in the blood
Compression of the heart because of fluid accumulation in the surrounding membrane
Decrease in the number of neutrocytes (a type of WBC) with symptoms of an infection such as fever
Rise of uric acid, creatinine, phosphate and potassium in the blood
Rise in the Ca levels
Airway, ureter or intestinal obstruction
Blood clot in the vein
Certain complications of multiple myeloma include:
Infections
Increased Ca concentration in the blood
Anaemia
Skeletal damage
Kidney failure
Blood clotting
Hyperviscosity syndrome (bleeding through the nose, blurred vision, seizure and heart failure)
Alternative Treatments
In addition to conventional medicines, herbal medicine has been extensively used for cancer. The benefit of these medicines is questionable; however, certain patients have claimed to find relief with the same.
These treatments generally help the person feel like they are in control of their disease.
Certain herbs that are mentioned in Ayurveda for leukaemia are listed below:
Gugulu (Commiphora wightii)
Vantrapush (Podophyllum hexeandrum)
Vanpalandu (Urginea indica)
Bhallatak (Semecarpus anacardium)
Sandpuspa (Lochnera rosea)
Consult your doctor before taking any herbal drugs as certain herbal drugs can affect your cancer therapy:
According to statistics, only about 30 per cent of patients who need a transplant are able to find a suitable donor within their own family and 70 per cent have to rely on unrelated donors.
"Since 1980s sperm banking has been the mainstay of preserving fertility for cancer survivors" Dr Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson of radiation oncology, Cancer Center, Medanta The Medicity.
Can you get pregnant while you are undergoing cancer treatment? Although it's rare, one can be diagnosed with cancer while being pregnant. Also, it is possible to get pregnant while being treated for cancer.
In a breakthrough, scientists have developed a way to treat youngsters with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a particularly aggressive blood disease.
Stem cell transplant may sometimes be the only chance of survival for blood cancer patients, many of whom are children. You can be a donor too. Read on to know the process.
World blood cancer day is observed on May 28 every year to raise awareness about the disease. With cases in Covid-19 surge, blood cancer patients need to be extra careful.
Lack of knowledge about blood cancer, its symptoms and treatment options, is leading to delay in seeking care in India. Learn more about this disease from an expert, and educate others too on World Blood Cancer Day.
Noted Bollywood actress Kirron Kher was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a type of blood cancer. Taking to Instagram, husband Anupam Kher shared the news to her fans.
A new study has suggested that protecting the health of the gastrointestinal tract is good for people suffering from blood cancer. Read on to know more.
A study suggests India has the third-highest number of haematological cancers, commonly called blood cancer. As we observe World Blood Cancer Day today, we would like to share a few diet tips to reduce your risk of this deadly disease.
Today is World Blood Cancer Day and we mark the occasion by showing support for people affected by blood cancer. Blood cancer is a growing health burden for India too. Be aware of these common types of blood cancer and their symptoms to catch them early.
Experts say that editing specific blood stem cells can help reverse symptoms of blood disorders, including sickle cell disease, a hereditary condition that makes your red blood cells look like sickles. Read on to know more about this condition.
Blood cancer is a common type of cancer that generally affects people of all age groups. Thus, Dr Neelesh Reddy, Consultant Oncology, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur shared everything about blood cancer.
According to statistics, only about 30 per cent of patients who need a transplant are able to find a suitable donor within their own family and 70 per cent have to rely on unrelated donors.
"Since 1980s sperm banking has been the mainstay of preserving fertility for cancer survivors" Dr Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson of radiation oncology, Cancer Center, Medanta The Medicity.
Can you get pregnant while you are undergoing cancer treatment? Although it's rare, one can be diagnosed with cancer while being pregnant. Also, it is possible to get pregnant while being treated for cancer.
In a breakthrough, scientists have developed a way to treat youngsters with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a particularly aggressive blood disease.
Stem cell transplant may sometimes be the only chance of survival for blood cancer patients, many of whom are children. You can be a donor too. Read on to know the process.
World blood cancer day is observed on May 28 every year to raise awareness about the disease. With cases in Covid-19 surge, blood cancer patients need to be extra careful.
Lack of knowledge about blood cancer, its symptoms and treatment options, is leading to delay in seeking care in India. Learn more about this disease from an expert, and educate others too on World Blood Cancer Day.
Noted Bollywood actress Kirron Kher was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a type of blood cancer. Taking to Instagram, husband Anupam Kher shared the news to her fans.
A new study has suggested that protecting the health of the gastrointestinal tract is good for people suffering from blood cancer. Read on to know more.
A study suggests India has the third-highest number of haematological cancers, commonly called blood cancer. As we observe World Blood Cancer Day today, we would like to share a few diet tips to reduce your risk of this deadly disease.
Today is World Blood Cancer Day and we mark the occasion by showing support for people affected by blood cancer. Blood cancer is a growing health burden for India too. Be aware of these common types of blood cancer and their symptoms to catch them early.
Experts say that editing specific blood stem cells can help reverse symptoms of blood disorders, including sickle cell disease, a hereditary condition that makes your red blood cells look like sickles. Read on to know more about this condition.
Blood cancer is a common type of cancer that generally affects people of all age groups. Thus, Dr Neelesh Reddy, Consultant Oncology, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur shared everything about blood cancer.
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