Blood Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Blood cancer, also known as leukemia, is a cancer that attacks the tissues that makeup blood cells, including the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Leukemia usually involves white blood cells.
In general, white blood cells play a role in the immune system. In normal people, white blood cells are produced by the bone marrow and there is regeneration according to the life span of these cells.
However, in people with blood cancer, the bone marrow produces an abnormal amount of certain white blood cells, leading to increased levels of that type of white blood cell.
There are several types of blood cancer. Based on the course of the disease, leukemia is divided into acute and chronic. Acute blood cancer can occur suddenly and develop rapidly. Meanwhile, chronic blood cancer occurs slowly and the initial symptoms appear mild.
Blood cancer can also be divided based on white blood cells that experience abnormal production. Blood cancer that involves the abnormal production of myeloid white blood cells is called myelocytic leukemia. Meanwhile, blood cancer that involves the abnormal production of lymphocyte white blood cells is called lymphocytic leukemia.
Based on this grouping, there are four main types of blood cancer that occur most often, namely:
-
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
This type of blood cancer is often found in children, but can also affect adults.
-
Acute Myelocytic Leukemia
This type of blood cancer is found in adults, but it can also affect children.
-
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
This type of blood cancer is found in both adults and children. Generally asymptomatic during the first years.
-
Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia
This type of blood cancer is found in adults. May show no symptoms for months to years before entering a phase in which cells are being produced more rapidly.
Symptom
Symptoms that occur in blood cancer can vary, depending on the type of leukemia. Some of the signs and symptoms that are often found in blood cancer patients are:
- Fever or chills
- Excessive weakness or tiredness
- Weight loss
- Excessive sweating, especially at night
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Lymph node enlargement
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- History of frequent nosebleeds
- Bone pain
- Red spots on the skin
Diagnosis
In general, the diagnosis of blood cancer requires a medical interview and physical examination by a doctor.
The doctor will ask for a history of complaints that lead to blood cancer. In addition, the doctor will look for signs through a physical examination. For example, pale skin or eyelids due to anemia that occurs, enlarged lymph nodes, and so on.
Investigations that can be carried out include routine blood tests, peripheral blood smears, and peripheral blood morphology. Bone marrow examination may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
In addition, the patient may undergo additional examinations to determine the severity of blood cancer. After knowing this, the doctor can decide on the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment
Treatment of blood cancer depends on various factors, including age, the type of leukemia, and the spread that has occurred. Some of the common treatments for leukemia given by doctors include:
-
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for blood cancer, which uses drugs to kill malignant cells.
Depending on the type of blood cancer suffered, chemotherapy treatment can use one drug or a combination of several drugs. The drugs used can be in the form of oral drugs or injection drugs. -
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses X-rays or other high-energy rays to destroy malignant cells and stop them from growing.
During radiation therapy, the patient lies in bed, then large equipment moves and directs radiation to certain parts of the body. -
Biological Therapy
Biological therapy helps the immune system of leukemia sufferers to attack malignant cells.
-
Target Therapy
Targeted therapy can be given to target malignant cells specifically. For example, by stopping the action of certain proteins on malignant cells, which can inhibit the development of disease.
-
Stem Cell Transplant
Stem cells, also known as stem cells, can be transplanted to replace diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow.
Before a stem cell transplant, the patient will undergo high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy the diseased bone marrow. After that, stem cells can be given to build healthy bone marrow. A stem cell transplant is quite similar to a bone marrow transplant.
Prevention
Until now, it is not certain what steps can be taken to prevent blood cancer.
Someone who feels they have signs and symptoms of leukemia is advised to immediately consult a doctor. Later the doctor will conduct medical interviews, physical examinations, and the necessary supporting examinations.