What Are the Main Types of Blood Cancer and How Are They Treated?
The stem cells present in bone marrow develop into three distinct blood cells, namely, platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. When the production of blood is interrupted it often gives rise to blood cancer.
With that knowledge, let’s move along to find out more about blood cancer symptoms, blood cancer reasons and other vital factors of this disease.
What is Blood Cancer?
Hematologic cancer or blood cancer develops when the blood cells and bone marrow of a person get affected. It directly hampers the production and functioning of these cells and subsequently leads to abnormal growth of cancer cells.
With that being said, let’s learn about different types of blood cancer.
Types of Blood Cancer
Typically, there are three types of blood cancer, namely – leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Read along to gain valuable insight about them in brief.
Leukaemia
This type of blood cancer tends to affect the WBCs or leukocytes along with the bone marrow and hampers its ability to produce blood platelets and RBCs. It occurs when a body produces abnormal blood cells rapidly.
It is further divided into 4 types, namely – acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system and its ability to fight against infectious diseases. It is the abnormal lymphocytes of WBCs which become lymphoma cells and grow uncontrollably in lymph nodes and tissues.
Typically, there are two types of lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and they affect the bone marrow, blood cells and spleen.
Myeloma
Plasma cells produce disease-fighting antibodies. Notably, in myeloma, the production of plasma cells gets hampered, and as a result, the immune system starts to weaken. It directly makes the body prone to several infections and diseases.
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Test Your Knowledge: How blood cancer is caused in each of these cases? a) Leukaemia b) Lymphoma c) Myeloma.
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Symptoms of Blood Cancer
Some of the most common blood cancer symptoms are as follows –
Fatigue and malaise.
Easy bruising.
Shortness of breath.
Recurrent fever.
Delirium and confusion.
Recurrent infections.
Bleeding gums.
Brittle bones.
Weight loss.
Anorexia.
Nausea.
Sweating at night.
Enlargement of lymph node.
Backache, abdominal and bone pain.
Persistent cough.
Lack of appetite.
skin irritation.
difficulty to urinate.
Test Your Knowledge: Which of these is the red blood cell?
Erythrocytes b) Leucocytes c) Plasma d) Thrombocytes.
What Causes Blood Cancer?
Though the specific causes of blood cancer are still unknown, several factors have been closely associated with its occurrence.
Some of the prominent factors include –
Ageing.
Weak immune system.
Heredity factors.
Excessive smoking and consumption of alcohol.
Prolonged exposure to chemotherapy.
Infections.
Organ transplantation.
The treatment of blood cancer focuses on the eradication of the disease. Notably, the procedure tends to vary from patient to patients and depend on factors like age. Type of cancer and its severity are also taken into consideration.
Following are some therapies which are extensively used for treatment -
Radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy.
Stem cell transplantation.
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FAQs on Blood Cancer: Key Facts, Symptoms & Treatments
1. What exactly is blood cancer as per the CBSE curriculum?
Blood cancer is a type of malignancy that affects the production and function of your blood cells. It originates in the bone marrow, which is the primary site of blood cell production. In blood cancer, the normal blood cell development process is interrupted by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal blood cells. These cancerous cells prevent your blood from performing its essential functions, like fighting off infections or preventing serious bleeding.
2. What are the three main types of blood cancer?
The three primary types of blood cancer are Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma. They are distinguished by the type of cell they affect and where they originate.
- Leukemia: This cancer originates in the blood and bone marrow, leading to the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells cannot fight infection and impair the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells and platelets.
- Lymphoma: This cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system. It causes the uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
- Myeloma: This is a cancer of the plasma cells, which are white blood cells that produce disease-fighting antibodies in the body. Myeloma cells impair the normal production and function of antibodies, weakening the immune system.
3. What are the most common symptoms and signs of blood cancer?
The symptoms of blood cancer can be general and non-specific, but common signs to watch for include:
- Persistent fatigue and weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent or severe infections
- Fever or chills
- Shortness of breath
- Easy bruising or bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums
- Swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Pain in bones or joints
4. What is the fundamental difference between Leukemia and Lymphoma?
The key difference between Leukemia and Lymphoma lies in their point of origin. Leukemia starts in the blood-forming tissues like the bone marrow and results in a high number of abnormal blood cells circulating in the blood. In contrast, Lymphoma originates in the cells of the lymphatic system (lymphocytes) and typically forms solid tumours in lymph nodes or other parts of the immune system.
5. How does blood cancer disrupt the normal functions of the body's blood cells?
Blood cancer disrupts the body's equilibrium by crowding out healthy cells in the bone marrow. This leads to critical shortages:
- A lack of healthy Red Blood Cells (Anemia): This causes fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath because the body isn't getting enough oxygen.
- A lack of healthy White Blood Cells (Leukopenia): This lowers the body's ability to fight infections, leading to frequent illnesses.
- A lack of Platelets (Thrombocytopenia): This impairs the blood's ability to clot, resulting in easy bruising and excessive bleeding.
6. What are the known causes and risk factors for developing blood cancer?
While the exact cause of blood cancer is often unknown, several risk factors are scientifically linked to its development. These include exposure to high levels of radiation and certain chemicals like benzene. Other risk factors are genetic, such as having a pre-existing genetic disorder like Down syndrome, a family history of the disease, or a weakened immune system.
7. How is blood cancer diagnosed and what are the primary treatment methods available?
Diagnosis typically begins with a physical exam and blood tests like a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to check cell levels. A definitive diagnosis often requires a bone marrow biopsy, where a small sample of bone marrow is taken and examined for cancerous cells. The main treatment methods include:
- Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Stem Cell Transplantation: Replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
- Targeted Therapy: Using drugs that specifically target the vulnerabilities in cancer cells.
8. Is blood cancer considered curable?
Yes, many types of blood cancer are highly treatable, and some can be cured, especially with modern medicine. The prognosis heavily depends on several factors, including the specific type of blood cancer, the stage at which it is diagnosed, the patient's age and overall health, and how well the cancer responds to initial treatment. Early detection and treatment significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome.
