Phases of Cancer

The majority of the disease organizing is done based on the spread and size of cancers. However, for leukemia, the organizing of blood disease is described by cell count and the development of leukemia tissues in different organs like spleen or liver. 

All things considered, malignant growth stage is an essential variable for the treatment of leukemia. 

Following pointers sway the organizing of leukemia: 

• Bone harm 

• Age 

• Chromosome changes or irregularities 

• WBCs or platelets count 

• History of earlier blood issues 

• Expanded liver or spleen 

When and how does my PCP decide the phase of my leukemia? 

Specialists can utilize different strategies for arranging to assess the phase of leukemia. Alongside indications, other experimental outcomes and the patient's overall wellbeing profile will likewise be considered for assessment of leukemia stage. 

Rather than utilizing customary strategies, for example, the TNM organizing framework, for leukemia arranging, a specialist will initially decide the subtype of the condition by assessing the aftereffects of cytologic tests, stream cytometry or other lab tests. 

Every leukemia subtype is then arranged to utilize an exceptional framework: 

Intense lymphocytic leukemia – Staging depends on the sort of lymphocyte and the development of the cells 

Intense myelogenous leukemia – Staging is finished by utilizing the French-American-British (FAB) framework, which considers the number of sound platelets, the size and number of the leukemia cells, the progressions in the chromosomes of the leukemia cells and other hereditary anomalies. 

Constant lymphocytic leukemia – Staging is finished utilizing the Rai framework, which depends on three variables: i) a number of lymphocytes in the blood ii) level of the lymph hub, spleen or liver growth iii) presence of paleness or thrombocytopenia. 

Ongoing myelogenous leukemia – Staging depends on the number of sick cells found in blood and bone marrow tests. 

Intense Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) 

What is intense lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)? 

Intense lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a blood disease that influences white platelets. There are two primary kinds of white platelets, lymphocytes (impacted by ALL) and myelocytes (impacted by AML). 

Lymphocytes are additionally separated into B and T cell lymphocytes. 

Everything is a range of infection contained a few distinctive subtypes, named for the cell type that is impacted (B or T) and how unusual the cell shows up under a magnifying lens. An individual with ALL creates unusual quantities of white platelets rather rapidly, normally over weeks, giving the infection the name "intense." 

The white platelet (WBC) count might be higher or lower than typical, however, the WBCs that are being delivered are juvenile and don't work well. Since WBCs are a significant piece of battling diseases, patients frequently have various contaminations that don't react to treatment before they are analyzed. Certain individuals will have low red platelet or platelet counts in light of the fact that the overpopulation of WBCs swarms out these cells. 

What are the phases of intense lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)? 

Intense Myeloid Leukemia (AML) 

Intense myeloid leukemia can be separated into eight phases as follows: 

• Undifferentiated AML or M0: This stage has no significant indications of separation in bone-marrow cells. 

• Myeloblastic leukemia or M1: In this stage a few indications of granulocytic detachment with or without least cell development. 

• Myeloblastic leukemia or M2: This stage alludes to bone marrow cells development past the promyelocyte stage. 

• Promyelocytic leukemia or M3: In this stage, abnormal cells are in creating stage with cores of various shape and sizes. 

• Myelomonocytic leukemia or M4: This stage has variable measures of separated granulocyte and monocytes in coursing blood and bone marrow. 

• Monocytic leukemia or M5: This stage has two classes: the first stage is characterized by insufficiently separated monoblasts with hereditary material, while the second stage is characterized by a few monocytes, promonocytes and monoblasts. 

• Erythroleukemia or M6: In this stage blood disease is characterized by abnormal RBCs making cells that count up to over half of the nucleated cells inside the bone marrow. 

• Megakaryoblastic leukemia or M7: The stage alludes to broad fibrosis present in the bone marrow. 

• Stage 4 leukemia future 

Some subtypes of AML will generally have a preferred viewpoint and anticipation over others. 

What are the phases of intense myelogenous leukemia (AML)? 

Since AML begins in the bone marrow and is typically not recognized until it has spread to different organs, customary malignant growth organizing isn't required. 

Rather than utilizing the normal TNM strategy for assessing the malignant growth, the subtype of AML is arranged to utilize a cytologic (cell) framework. 

Specialists are not just ready to anticipate how the malignant growth will react to treatment dependent on the cell grouping, but on the other hand can precisely survey the guess. 

Intense myeloid leukemia stages 

There are two primary frameworks that have been utilized to characterize AML into subtypes: 

French-American-British (FAB) arrangement 

World Health Organization (WHO) arrangement 

As per FAB characterization, AML is isolated into subtypes, M0 through M7. This depends on development of the cells and furthermore, the sort of cell leukemia creates. 

In contrast to the FAB arrangement framework, the WHO characterization framework considers large numbers of the variables that are currently known to influence the forecast (standpoint) that can all the more likely group AML. 

AML subtypes and organizing 

Utilizing a framework known as French-American-British (FAB) arrangement, AML is grouped into eight subtypes, M0 through M7, in view of: 

Number of sound platelets 

Size and number of leukemia cells 

Chromosomal changes in leukemia cells 

Whatever other hereditary anomalies have happened. 

Constant Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) 

What are the phases of constant lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)? 

Since CLL infection creates and spreads in an unexpected way, its organizing is unique in relation to arranging for the sort of malignant growths that structure cancers. 

The Rai Staging System depends on platelet counts, rather than rating the size and cancer spread. 

The Binet system, then again, sums up the spread of disease all through the lymph hubs in three phases just marked A, B and C. 

By distinguishing the phase of ongoing lymphocytic leukemia, your primary care physician can pick when to start treatment and figure out which CLL medicines might be best for you. 

Rai Staging System for CLL 

Binet Staging System 

Persistent Myeloid Leukemia stages 

To arrange CML, your oncologist or malignant growth expert will inspect blood and bone marrow tests to decide the number of ailing cells. 

There are three phases of CML: 

Constant: This is the underlying or the soonest period of CML. The most extreme number of CML patients are analyzed during this stage as they experience gentle manifestations, especially weariness. 

Sped up: If CML neglects to react to therapy well during the constant stage, it turns out to be more forceful, which then, at that point, prompts the sped up stage. Now, manifestations might turn out to be more recognizable. 

Blastic: This is by a long shot the most forceful phase of ongoing myeloid leukemia. Blastic alludes to having over 20% myeloblasts or lymphoblasts. Manifestations experienced during this stage are like those of intense myeloid leukemia.

Blood Cancer Diagnosis Steps

 Diagnosis of blood cancer usually begins with a visit to the doctor. 

The doctor will usually start by gathering information, such as the known family history of cancer and the person's medical history. Then, the doctor will perform various tests to further investigate: 

Physical examination

The doctor will examine the patient for general signs of health, including palpating any strange lumps or unusual occurrences in the body. 

Blood test

A blood sample is taken from the person and sent to a lab for further testing. There are several types of blood tests, including: 

Complete blood count (CBC): the person's blood is tested for a complete blood count. This involves examining and determining the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood. 

Peripheral blood smear: This test is usually done as a follow-up if the results of the blood count are abnormal. The smear is used to check for any abnormalities present and the appearance of the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. 

Blood chemistry: this is used to measure the health of a person. 

Blood Coagulation Tests

This measures whether the blood clots normally, because clotting is a function of the platelets and proteins in the blood. Some blood cancers can reduce the number of platelets and cause frequent bruising or bleeding. Blood clotting tests can help determine whether the bruising and bleeding are due to the cancer or to another cause.

Urine tests

Myeloma can affect kidney function. If myeloma is suspected, urine tests are done to determine the function of the kidneys and assess their health. 

Biopsy

A biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue from the body to examine it for the presence of cancer cells. The doctor may suggest taking a sample of tissue from the bone marrow (called a bone marrow biopsy) or taking a sample of fluid from the bone marrow (called a bone marrow aspiration). 

X-rays

This examination can be used specifically for myeloma. It helps to detect lesions in the bones caused by myeloma. It can also detect weakened areas of bone or fractures that may need surgery. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

This procedure uses a magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed images of areas in the body. This can be used to detect areas where the bone is damaged. This can help confirm the presence and spread of myeloma.

Treatment of blood cancer

Treatment for blood cancer depends on the type of blood cancer, the stage of the cancer, the rate of growth and spread of the cancer to other parts of the body, the genetic mutations that may be present in the cancer cells, and the age and overall health of the person with cancer. Here are some treatment options you may consider. 

Watchful waiting

In certain cases of blood cancer, a wait-and-see approach is recommended. This usually happens when the person does not experience any symptoms of their disease and the blood cancer is slow growing. The person's health is closely monitored and no treatment is given, except for treatment of infections. Doctors monitor the person for changes in condition and symptoms, such as fatigue, weight loss, or an enlarged spleen. 

Chemotherapy

This form of medication is injected into the body or taken in the form of pills. It contains cancer drugs that help kill cancer cells and stop their production, although they can also attack other cells in the body.

Targeted therapies

This form of treatment is most commonly used to treat leukemia. Drugs are used that specifically kill malignant blood cells. These drugs do not harm normal cells. Targeted therapies block the growth of cancer cells instead of killing the cancer cells. Therefore, they are usually used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat blood cancers. 

Radiation therapy

High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used to treat bone pain caused by the growth of blood cancer cells in the bone marrow. It may also be used before a stem cell transplant.

Surgery

Surgery is used to remove affected lymph nodes to treat certain types of blood cancer. In some cases, a person with blood cancer may have surgery to remove an enlarged spleen that may be pressing on other organs, such as the stomach, causing discomfort. 

Immunotherapy

This form of treatment involves activating the body's immune system to specifically kill cancer cells. 

Stem cell transplant

After chemotherapy, healthy stem cells are infused into the body to restore bone marrow and continue healthy blood production to destroy malignant blood cells. Chemotherapy effectively destroys the cancer cells, but often damages the healthy blood cells as well. These stem cells are immature cells that can grow into new blood cells. They are taken from the cancer patient before chemotherapy begins or donated by a donor. 

For many who are diagnosed with blood cancer, the goal of treatment is to cure the cancer And completely eliminate all signs of cancer in the body. This is called a complete remission. However, partial remission is also possible, and this is when only a small number of cancer cells remain in the body.

Some blood cancers are chronic and cannot be cured, but are treated with ongoing treatment. For many people, blood cancer does not shorten life expectancy, and regular medications and treatments can help stabilise the condition. If the cancer becomes more aggressive, more intensive treatment may be needed to control the cancer.

How to prevent blood cancer

To prevent blood cancer, it can be helpful to reduce exposure to factors that increase the risk for blood cancer and to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Some tips include:

• Avoid exposure to radiation, chemicals such as pesticides or benzene.

• Avoid smoking or tobacco in any form.

• Stay active and keep fit by exercising regularly.

• Eat a healthy diet, with plenty of vitamins and antioxidants.

What are the signs and symptoms of blood cancer?

 There are many different types of cancer that can be grouped under the general term blood cancer, and each individual type has its own symptoms. However, there are some symptoms that are common to many different types of blood cancer and these are described below.

Blood cancer is a type of cancer that can affect the cells in the blood, bone marrow, or lymph nodes. As the cancer cells grow, they can crowd out the healthy blood cells, which include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Many of the symptoms of blood cancer are typically related to a lower than normal amount of these blood cells. When the body does not have enough red blood cells, it is called anemia. A lack of white blood cells is called neutropenia, and when there are not enough platelets, it is called thrombocytopenia. When there are too few of all three types of blood cells, it is called pancytopenia.

Low red blood cell count

When blood cancer affects the development of red blood cells (RBCs), anemia occurs. RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the cells and carbon dioxide from the cells back to the lungs. Anemia can cause the body to experience certain symptoms related to the inadequate supply of oxygen, including

• Fatigue or weakness

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Headache

• Cold hands or feet

• fast or irregular heartbeat

• pale skin

• chest pain

Low white blood cell count

When blood cancer causes a lower than normal white blood cell (WBC) count, it is called neutropenia. White blood cells are the immune system's first line of defense, and neutropenia can increase the risk of infections and cause the following symptoms:

Repeated infections or infections that will not go away

• Fever, especially without an obvious cause

• Chills or sweating

• sores in the mouth

• tiredness or feeling unwell

• Sore throat

• sore skin4

• Low platelet count

When blood cancer causes a lack of platelets, the body's ability to clot normally is affected (thrombocytopenia). Platelets, also called thrombocytes, can stick together (coagulate) at the site of an injury and form a fibrin clot. The fibrin also creates an internal structure in which new tissue can grow and healing can occur. If a person does not have an adequate amount of platelets, they may have difficulty forming blood clots and may experience significant blood loss when injured. Symptoms of thrombocytopenia may include:

• Frequent bruising, especially for no clear reason.

• Bleeding easily, such as from cuts, gums, or frequent nosebleeds

• Small, pinhead-sized red spots on the skin (called "petechiae")

• Blood in the urine or stool

• heavier than usual menstrual bleeding

• persistent bleeding from cuts

• Fatigue

• Enlarged spleen

• Other symptoms of blood cancer

Many of the common symptoms of blood cancer can also be caused by other conditions, and it's important to get checked out by a doctor to determine the cause of these symptoms. In addition, not everyone with blood cancer has the same symptoms. Common symptoms that can be caused by certain blood cancers include:

• Unexpected weight loss

• Night sweats

• Loss of appetite

• Fatigue

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• abdominal fullness

• pain in the arms, legs or joints

Understanding Multiple Myeloma

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells. In multiple myeloma, malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow - the soft, spongy tissue in the center of your bones - and crowd out the normal plasma cells that help fight infection. These malignant plasma cells then produce an abnormal antibody called M protein, which is of no benefit to the body and can lead to tumors, kidney damage, bone destruction, and impaired immune function. The characteristic feature of multiple myeloma is a high level of M protein in the blood.

How does multiple myeloma start?

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue found in the centre of many bones. This is where normal blood cells grow. In the healthy bone marrow, there are normal plasma cells that make antibodies to protect your body from infection. In multiple myeloma, the plasma cells turn into cancerous multiple myeloma cells that grow uncontrollably and produce large amounts of a single abnormal antibody called M protein. As the cancer cells multiply, there is less room in the bone marrow for normal blood cells, resulting in a decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The myeloma cells can activate other cells in the bone marrow, which can damage your bones.

How does this affect the body?

A decreased number of blood cells can lead to anaemia, excessive bleeding, and a decreased ability to fight infection. The accumulation of M protein in the blood and urine can damage the kidneys and other organs. Bone damage can lead to bone pain and osteolytic lesions, which are weakened areas in the bones. This bone destruction increases the risk of fractures and can also lead to a serious condition called hypercalcemia (elevated levels of calcium in the blood).

Causes and increased risk factors

Researchers have made progress in understanding how multiple myeloma develops, but the exact cause is still unknown. Like all cancers, multiple myeloma is heterogeneous, meaning each case is unique. The genetic mutations that cause multiple myeloma vary from person to person. There are some specific mutations that have been identified as genetic risk factors, but multiple myeloma is not thought to be an inherited disease. An increased incidence of multiple myeloma has been found in men, African Americans, and people over the age of 45. Remember, these factors have not been proven to cause multiple myeloma, and new studies regularly provide new evidence to help us identify risk factors and work toward a cure.

Multiple myeloma in black patients

Multiple myeloma is twice as common in the black population as in other ethnicities and is twice as deadly in black patients as in white patients. In addition, the conditions associated with the development of myeloma (including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or MGUS) are common in black patients.

If the leukemia progresses: Blood Transfusions

 In leukemia, there is no tumor. Instead, cancer cells invade the body, blood, and bone marrow, disrupting the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the bone marrow.

Cancer patients with leukemia may develop anemia (too few red blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (too few platelets). Sometimes they also develop leukopenia (low white blood cell count). At some point during treatment for chronic or acute leukemia, most patients need blood transfusions to replace abnormal blood cells.

If the platelet count becomes too low or if a patient has symptoms such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums, he or she may need a platelet transfusion. If the red blood cell count is low, a patient may need a red blood cell transfusion. When red blood cells are low, confusion, shortness of breath, and fatigue are common. 

As chronic leukemia progresses, end-stage transfusions may be needed more frequently to provide patients with normal blood cells. If a patient requires multiple transfusions per week, the disease has most likely begun to severely affect their quality of life. When the immune system is weakened, infections such as pneumonia become a threat. 

Symptoms of end- stage leukemia include a complete lack of energy and weakness. Leukemia patients may spend most of their time sleeping, resting, or in bed. 

With end-stage leukemia, elderly patients (as well as people of any age) may die because their blood can no longer clot. This can lead to sudden blood loss or stroke.

In end-stage leukemia, it is important for loved ones to know what pain feels like for their loved one. Fortunately, with the right palliative care measures, the patient can be well cared for in the final stages of the disease.

What else to expect during the terminal stage

When a cancer patient is nearing death, end-stage symptoms can look different for everyone. There is no way to predict when it will be time to say goodbye or how that will happen. These are some of the end-stage leukemia symptoms to watch out for.

Weakness

In most cases, a patient is extremely weak towards the end of the cancer. They have difficulty moving around and getting out of bed. Sometimes there are sudden muscle movements, such as a twitching of the hands, arms, legs, or face.

Confusion

Leukemia patients may be confused about time, place, or people. Their attention span may be short and they may have trouble focusing on what is happening around them. 

Food intake

Towards the end of the disease, cancer patients may show little to no interest in food and fluids. It is not uncommon for them to eat and drink very little for days at a time.

Sleep

In the final stages, you may notice that your loved one is sleepy. Once the pain is relieved, he may sleep most of the day. It may also be hard to wake him. 

Anxiety

Patients may be restless, anxious, or lonely, especially at night. They may tug at the bedclothes or talk about things that have nothing to do with current events.

Mucus

Mucus may build up in the back of a patient's throat, causing a rattling sound. Although it is difficult to hear, it often does not bother the patient. 

Skin

Toward the end of the disease, blood flow slows, which means the skin on the arms and legs may feel cold. The skin may also darken and look blue or blotchy. 

Heart rate

In older patients and others in a late stage of cancer, the heartbeat may become fast, weak, or irregular.

Vision

Patients may have difficulty closing their eyelids, and vision may become blurred. 

Breathing

Breathing may speed up and slow down. This is due to decreased blood circulation. Patients may also groan as they breathe or not breathe at all for 10 or even 30 seconds.

Urine and bowel movements

Urine may become darker and the patient may lose control of urine and bowel movements.

Blood cancer in a nutshell: classification and Investigation

 Blood cancer is a diverse group of diseases that result from the neoplastic proliferation of a malignant blood cell in the hematopoietic system. The clinical presentation of blood cancer is variable and depends largely on the location and severity of the disease.

Classification of blood cancer

Blood cancers are classified as myeloid (related to the bone marrow) or lymphoid (related to the tissues that produce lymphocytes and antibodies) depending on the hematopoietic lineage in which an abnormality occurred; they can also be classified into one of the following groups:

Conceptual image illustrating the destruction of a leukaemia cell as a result of treatment.

Leukaemia is a cancer in which malignant hematopoietic cells are found in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Leukaemia can be classified as myeloid or lymphoid, acute or chronic, depending on how quickly the disease breaks out. In acute leukaemia, there is an abnormal proliferation of blasts (poorly differentiated immature cells) and maturation arrest may occur. In contrast, in chronic leukaemia, there are no blasts as the malignant cells continue to mature during hematopoiesis. 

Lymphomas affect the lymphoid lineage and are chronic malignancies. Malignant lymphoid cells usually accumulate in and are confined to the lymphoid organs, resulting in a lymphoid static tumour. When the affected lymphoid organ becomes so crowded with malignant cells that they accumulate there, the cells may invade organs outside the lymphoid tissue, such as the peripheral blood and bone marrow. Lymphomas are broadly classified as Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), depending on whether the malignant tumour contains Reed-Sternberg cells (abnormal lymphocytes found only in HL ).

Myelodysplastic syndromes are myeloid malignancies in which immature myeloid progenitor cells accumulate in the bone marrow. As a result, these immature cells die before they can mature into effector cells. This leads to ineffective haemopoiesis and consequently to a reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Conception image showing the secretion of excess immunoglobulin (M proteins) from the malignant plasma cells (myeloma cells) in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is a lymphoid malignancy in which there is an abnormal proliferation of malignant plasma cells. In a healthy state, plasma cells are required for the production of antibodies. In multiple myeloma, the malignant plasma cells oversynthesize and secrete excessive amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulins called paraproteins. In excessive concentrations in plasma, the paraproteins can cause severe tissue damage to a number of organs.

Myeloproliferative disorders are myeloid abnormalities in which there is an abnormal overproduction of myeloid cells in the bone marrow, usually causing erythrocytosis, thrombocytosis, neutrophilia, and basophilia. The major myeloproliferative disorders are CML, polycythaemia vera, myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythaemia.

Investigation of blood cancers

The role of a pathology laboratory is essential in the investigation of blood cancers. It is important to accurately diagnose malignancies because treatment strategies vary widely and an incorrect diagnosis can have a major impact on a patient's prognosis. There are many different tests and analytical techniques that can be used in the investigation of a suspected blood cancer, including the following:

A complete blood count (FBC) provides data on red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet indices. These parameters are critical because they indicate the number of each cell line and help determine bone marrow involvement. In some cases, the results of the blood count are one of the first indications of suspected blood cancer, and the analysis of the blood count may lead to requesting further tests.

Morphological analysis of blood by examining a blood film under a microscope.

Morphological examination of peripheral blood and/or bone marrow helps to identify the shape, size, characteristics, cellular inclusions and maturity of blood cells. Certain morphologic features are clearly associated with specific types of blood cancers. Therefore, analysis of morphology is crucial in making a diagnosis or determining further investigations.

Immunophenotyping analyzes the expression of antigenic markers expressed on the cell surface. These markers are referred to as clusters of differentiation (CD). Specific markers associated with each cell lineage allow the identification of cell populations. In healthy individuals, certain CD markers should be present. However, in malignancies, there may be loss of expression, overexpression, and aberrant expression of certain markers that should not be present in a healthy individual. By comparing the results to normal expected expression, healthy and malignant cell populations can be distinguished.

Cytogenetics examines cells at the molecular level because some blood cancers are caused by a chromosomal mutation. By analyzing the carotype and chromosomal structure of a patient, genetic mutations can be identified.

Histological processing of a tissue biopsy

Histological examination of a biopsy (e.g., of a lymph node) can provide information about the architecture of the tissue and the type of cells present. This helps to determine the presence and/or spread of malignant disease.

Due to the heterogeneous nature of blood cancers, a multidisciplinary laboratory approach is often required for diagnosis. Therefore, to aid in the diagnosis, all laboratory results must be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical presentation.

Innovations and advances in the field of blood cancers are making rapid progress to reduce the prevalence of such diseases and improve the prognosis for those affected.

Is blood cancer preventable or is it Genetic ?

 The likelihood of getting blood cancer is related to how your blood cells form. The disease develops when harmful mutations occur and these abnormal cells interfere with the function of normal blood cells. It is normal for cells to multiply to form white blood cells that fight infections. When the infection is cleared, these cells die.

"If you have cancer cells, there is a mutation where immature cells make more and more cells that do not mature," Dr Dodul Mondal explains. "They serve no purpose and crowd out the normal cells. But these mutations must form a large enough number of cells to cause a problem. Otherwise, the smaller number of mutated cells does not affect the good cells, they eventually die, or the small problem is corrected by repair mechanisms our bodies produce to fight the bad cells."

Is blood cancer genetic?

Unlike breast cancer, blood cancer is rarely passed down in families.

"Sometimes oncologist see people with familial lymphoma or leukemia, but those are rare cases," Dr Dodul Mondal says. "In most cases, blood cancer occurs more sporadically."

Symptoms of blood cancer

The type of blood cancer and the aggressiveness of the disease inform what symptoms each individual may experience. However, in some cases, there are no symptoms that many would associate with cancer. Some common symptoms include:

• Constant fatigue and/or weakness

• Nausea and/or loss of appetite

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Headaches

• Shortness of breath

• Fever and/or chills

• bone and joint pain

Treatment of blood cancer

Depending on the individual cancer, blood cancers are usually treated with chemical therapies, but can sometimes be combined with radiation therapy.

"Chemotherapy is usually the best treatment," says Dr Dodul Mondal. "Sometimes we also use radiation in certain areas, but blood cancers are usually systemic diseases. So they do not usually occur in limited, isolated areas. While radiation can not cure most cases, it can be beneficial in treating a small area."

In some cases, patients may even benefit from a bone marrow transplant or, more commonly today, a peripheral blood stem cell transplant. There are two different types of stem cell transplants: autologous and allogeneic.

"An autologous transplant uses your own stem cells from your bone marrow," explains Dr Dodul Mondal. "Using the patient's own blood cells can avoid some side effects, but this may not be the best option for every patient."

Some patients require an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, which uses stem cells from a donor to fight cancer cells.

Is blood cancer curable?

Generally, earlier treatment of cancer is more effective, but some blood cancers can be cured at any stage. This depends on the type of disease. If the cancer is not curable, treatments can help relieve symptoms and improve survival. With the right time frame for diagnosis and treatment, most people live longer than they would have expected in the past or without treatment.

"Blood cancers can affect anyone - the disease does not discriminate whether you are young or old," Dr Dodul Mondal points out. "Like most cancers, they become more common with age, but we also see pediatric leukemia and other forms of blood cancer in young people."