Dr. Dodul Mondal is one of the most dynamic and best radiation oncologists In Delhi NCR with international repute who has an experience of working with Proton Beam Therapy at one of the largest university hospitals in the United States.
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.
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?
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 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.
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