INTRODUCTION

Blood cancer represents a large group of different malignancies. This group

includes cancers of the bone marrow, blood, and lymphatic system, which includes

lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and digestive tract

lymphoid tissue. Leukemia and myeloma, which start in the bone marrow, and

lymphoma, which starts in the lymphatic system, are the most common types of

blood cancer. What causes these cancers is not known.

As leukemia and myeloma grow within the bone marrow, they can interfere with

the bone marrow’s ability to produce normal blood cells, including white blood

cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can cause frequent infections, anemia, and

easy bruising. Lymphomas, which most typically appear as enlargement of the

lymph nodes, can also interfere with the body’s ability to fight infections.

Additionally, myelomas generate a substance that weakens bones, and produce

abnormal proteins that can cause symptoms in other parts of the body.

Treatment of blood cancers has undergone substantial improvements, resulting in

increased rates of remission and survival. Remission occurs when there is no sign

of cancer. Today in the United States, almost 1 million people are alive with, or in

remission from, blood cancer. People who have blood cancer can have problems

with bleeding and serious infections.

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CAUSES OF BLOOD CANCER

Although the specific cause of blood cancer is not known, a number of factors are

associated with its development. Many blood cancers are more common among

older adults. Some tend to run in families. Certain infections also appear to

increase the risk of some blood cancers, as does a weakened immune system.

RISK FACTORS FOR BLOOD CANCER

1. Age group and blood cancer: Though it is probable amongst different age

groups, the recently taken statistics point to the increased possibility

amongst the older age groups.

2. Certain types of infections: Those infected by HIV all come under the risky

demography prone to blood cancer.

3. Compromised immune system due to such conditions as HIV/AIDS, taking

corticosteroids, or organ transplant.

4. Exposure to certain chemicals Exposure to radiation or certain types of

chemotherapy

5. Family history of blood cancer: Heredity/family history is one of the likely

factors making one more prone to blood cancer than those without family

history.

6. Personal history of certain blood disorders

7. Personal history of certain genetic disorders

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 8. Smoking

9. Race and blood cancer: It has also been observed that whites are more

susceptible to leukemia/blood cancer.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF BLOOD CANCER

1. Abdominal pain, especially in the upper abdomen

2. Bone or joint pain

3. Easy bleeding or bruising

4. Enlarged liver and glands, such as the spleen and lymph nodes

5. Fatigue

6. Fever and chills

7. Frequent infections

8. Frequent urination

9. Nausea, which may be described as feelings of wooziness, queasiness,

retching, seasickness, car-sickness or upset stomach

10. Night sweats

11. Unexplained weight loss

LIFE-THREATENING SYMPTOMS

1. Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails

2. Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or

unresponsiveness

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 3. Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion,

delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions

4. Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations

5. High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

6. Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)

7. Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty

breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, Seizure

8. Severe abdominal pain

Types of Blood Cancer

Blood cancer can commonly be divided into three types:

a. Leukemia

b. Lymphoma

c. Myeloma

A factor named lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell that fights infections. The

lymphocytes that are abnormal become lymphoma cells, which multiply and

collect in both lymph nodes and other tissues. Gradually, the immune system is

impaired by these cancerous cells.

Leukemia

The rapid production of abnormal white blood cells causes a type of cancer called

leukemia, which is found in the blood and bone marrow. Leukemia can be either
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acute or chronic. Immediate treatment is required for chronic leukemia, which

progresses more slowly than acute leukemia.

Fig. 1 Normal blood cell and Leukemia

Many patients with acute leukemia have responded successfully to treatments. In

chronic leukemia, the cells tend to divide slowly because of better treatment with

targeted therapies. Participation in a clinical trial provides access to experimental

therapies for some patients, so it is always good to talk to the doctor and find out

whether joining a clinical trial is right for you or not.

Leukemia is classed as either lymphocytic or myelogenous. Lymphocytic leukemia

signifies the abnormal cell growth that becomes lymphocytes in the marrow, which

are a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system. The abnormal

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cell growth that occurs in the marrow which later matures into white blood cells is

called myelogenous leukemia.

The four major classifications of leukemia are:

a. Acute myelogenous leukemia

b. Chronic myelogenous leukemia

c. Acute lymphocytic leukemia

d. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Leukemia may occur in both adults and children. The symptoms of leukemia may

vary depending on its type and stage, and they include headaches, enlarged liver

and spleen, fever, chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms, bone pain,

weight loss, paleness, pinhead-size red spots on the skin, swollen tonsils, swollen

or bleeding, gums, weakness, and fatigue.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the blood where lymphocyte – a component of

the blood grows at an abnormal rate. They are often present as a solid tumor in

certain parts of the body like lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen etc. In most cases,

the causes are not known. The common symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue,

pain in lymph nodes and other specific areas of the body. Chemotherapy, radiation

therapy and bone marrow transplantation are the most common treatment options

for lymphoma.
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B or T lymphocytes are a component of the blood. They help the body to fight

against infections and form a part of the immune system. They are found in the

lymph tissue which forms the lymphatic glands. Lymphoma is a type of cancer of

the blood that affects the lymph nodes. The result is that the lymphocytes begin to

behave in an abnormal manner. They also multiply rapidly and prevent normal

cells from being formed till they overwhelm the system. However, with timely

intervention, certain types of lymphomas can be cured completely. The symptoms

of lymphoma include fever, weight loss, difficulty in breathing or chest pain, rash,

itchy skin, weakness and fatigue, sweating, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck,

armpits, or groin.

Fig. 2 Lymphoma

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Myeloma

The cancer of plasma cells is myeloma. The disease- and infection-fighting

antibodies are produced in the body by white blood cells known as plasma cells.

The normal production and function of red and white blood cells are affected by

the multiplication of myeloma cells. Kidney damage can be caused by an

abnormally high amount of these dysfunctional antibodies in the bloodstream.

The myeloma cells are known to produce a substance capable of causing

destruction of the bone, resulting in fracture or pain. The soft tissues inside the

bones are the bone marrow, where myeloma cells are produced. In the body,

myeloma cells travel through the bloodstream and sometimes get collected in other

bones. It is generally referred to as multiple myeloma, because it frequently occurs

at many sites in the bone marrow.

The symptoms and signs of myeloma are anemia (reduced red blood cell count),

renal damage (kidney failure), weight loss hypercalcemia (excessive calcium in the

blood), susceptibility to infection, osteoporosis, bone pain, bone swelling or

fracture, and high protein levels in the blood and/or urine. Myeloma occurs more

frequently in men who are exposed to radiation, work in petroleum-related

industries, are over the age of 50, and are obese.

The following are the options available for treating myeloma: chemotherapy,

immunomodulators (drugs that target specific areas of the immune system), and

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drugs to treat anemia, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, and participation in a

clinical trial, which provides access to experimental therapies for some patients. It

is good to talk with the doctor and find out whether the clinical trial is the right

option to follow when diagnosed with myeloma.

Fig. 3 Myeloma in Bone

TREATMENT OF MYELOMA

The treatment of myeloma depends on whether it is smoldering or aggressive. No

treatment is prescribed for smoldering myeloma but it is closely monitored. The

conventional treatment options for aggressive myeloma include chemotherapy and

radiation.

1. Chemotherapy includes the administration of several drugs, especially

biophosphonates to help to maintain the health of the bones.

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 2. Steroids are sometimes administered.

3. Radiotherapy is used to treat localized bone pain caused by concentrated

tumors.

4. Surgery is not a common option. But it is sometimes used to repair bone

damage.

Bone marrow transplantation is used in certain cases. It may be of two types:

1. Autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is the process that uses the

patient's own stem cells.

2. Allogenic bone marrow transplant is that where stem cells from a donor is used.

This treatment option has serious risks, but it offers long term possibilities of cure.

PREVENTION OF BLOOD CANCER

1. Healthy lifestyle with specialized focus on balanced diet

2. In fact, health of nutrition and that of living can go a long way in combating

blood cancer. Instead of freaking out on dollops of sugar and that of dressed

meat items, one ideally needs to fall back on the organic greens.

3. Avoiding junk food and going back on a nutritious platter with abundance of

green can add to the prevention of blood cancer.

4. Dressed meat/fish items have been identified as one of the incentives to

blood cancer. So, they need to be avoided as well.

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5. Trans or saturated fat is congenial to the development of this dreaded

disease. So together with dressed items and that of starch, one needs to go

low in this category as well.

6. Eat, drink and breathe in fresh air.

7. Regularized schedule of exercising over a bare minimum period of half an

hour can be pretty effective.

8. Besides depending on a judicious blend of diet and rest, regularized regimen

of exercise with abundant exposure to the unpolluted deals of natural fresh is

another incentive to blood cancer prevention.

9. Due safety measures to be adopted

10.People working in nuclear, chemical or dye making plants belong to the risk

category of blood cancer. Thus, they need to take safety measures so that the

exposure to the deals of radiation and that of chemicals are minimized.

11. Adding to the strength of the immunological system

12. It also pays because people immunologically strong are better capacitate in

resisting diseases including blood cancer.

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CONCLUSION

Blood cancers, or hematologic cancers, affect the production and function of blood

cells. These cancers typically begin in the bone marrow where blood is produced.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Fatigue is one of the most common side effects reported by cancer patients.

One of the best ways to help overcome fatigue is by getting plenty of rest

and gentle exercise.

2. Some types of treatment for blood cancers may cause temporary or

permanent damage to your fertility. Before you start treatment it is important

you discuss your questions or concerns regarding your future fertility with

your doctor.

3. To help prevent infection it is important to do regular mouth cares, which

includes using a soft toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash.

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