Blood cancer is one of the common cancers out there.
In the month of September, supporters or advocates of different Blood cancer organisations aim at raising awareness about the blood cancers, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and Myeloma.
An increasing number of people lose their lives because of blood cancer around the world.
Early diagnosis and correct medication is the only way to prevent any complications and fight the disease at an early stage.
And yet, there is less awareness regarding blood cancer as compared to breast cancer or prostate cancer.
That is why blood cancer awareness month can play a vital role in making the people aware of the disease and save ore lives in the future.
Blood is composed of Red blood cells, White blood cells and platelets. Each of them have their own functions while blood on the whole also helps in the transfer of nutrients.
Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to various parts of the body, overall nourishment of the cells and production of energy.
White Blood cells protect the body from any internal or external damage. The platelets prevent the loss of blood during an injury.
Blood Cancer is a generic term for any cancer that affects either of the blood components.
Bone marrow is where these components are produced. There are mother cells or stem cells present in the bone marrow that convert into either of the blood components depending on various factors.
When these stem cells are damaged due to any radiation, chemical or genetic factor, it causes cancer affecting either of the blood components- RBCs, WBCs or platelets.
Types of Blood Cancer
There are basically two types of blood cancer: Lymphoma and Leukemia.
'Leuk' refers to white cells or leucocytes and 'emia' refers to dysfunction of blood. Therefore, leukemia is the cancer affecting the white blood cells within the blood.
'Lymph' refers to lymphocytes which is a specific top of the white blood cells or the lymph nodes surrounding the body. 'Oma' means cancer. Therefore, lymphoma is the cancer of lymph in the lymph nodes.
Lymphoma
This type of cancer mainly damages the white blood cells. Lymphoma damages the lymph nodes of the body. Lymph nodes are made up of white blood cells. Lymph nodes of an organ are the check-points that protect that organ from any external damage. For example, the lymph nodes of the stomach protects the stomach from any toxic substances that might have been ingested by an individual.
Similarly, when cancer attacks the white blood cells, these lymph nodes start damaging the organ they were meant to protect initially. In general, Lymphoma causes the damage of lymph nodes or the entire lymphatic system.
Leukemia
This is a traditional type of blood cancer. It affects the normal functioning of the blood components which disturbs the overall functioning of the body.
Leukemia causes an increase in the number of white blood cells but the function of these blood cells is different from the normal ones.
While the white blood cells protects us from infection, the increase of white blood cells leads to over crowding making it difficult for the body to fight infection, control bleeding and hinders the transfer of oxygen as well.
When the leukemia cells require all the space inside the bone marrow, they start to leak into the blood and results in lower number of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells.
Treatment for Different Types of Blood Cancer
For the diagnosis of Leukemia, doctors may look for enlarged liver, spleen or swollen lymph nodes. Blood tests or bone marrow examination may show the abnormal growth of red blood cells, platelets or white blood cells.
For the diagnosis of Lymphoma, doctor may look for the enlargement of lymph nodes near the neck or armpits. Internal lymph nodes damage may result in enlargement of liver or spleen resulting in cough, abdominal pain, night sweats, persistent fever, itching, etc.
Some patients may be asymptomatic and on blood tests the doctor might discover abnormal number of blood cells, abnormal functioning of the liver or may remove a part of the lymph node for examination.
The treatment to Leukemia depends on the factors like age, type of leukemia or the extent of spread of the cancer.
Treatments may include radiation therapy like X-rays in which the radiation is aimed at the cancer cells to kill them or prevent their growth.
Chemotherapy includes the use of drugs, which might be injected into the body or given orally.
Stem cell transplant in which the infected bone marrow is replaced with the healthy one from a donor or the patient's bone marrow itself.
Immunotherapy is also a common treatment which helps the autoimmune system to recognise and destroy the cancer cells.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)