BLOOD CANCER

As its name suggests, this type of cancer affects the production and function of your blood cells. This type of cancer starts in bone marrow which is the integral source of blood production. Stem cells in your bone marrow mature and develop into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. In case of cancer, the blood production process is interrupted due to the growth of an abnormal type of blood cell. Blood cancer is of three types:

• Leukemia - This type of cancer is caused by the rapid production of abnormal blood cells in the bone marrow. These            abnormal blood cells affect the bone marrow's ability of the production of red blood cells and platelets.
• Lymphoma - This type of blood cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the removal of excess fluids    from your body and producing immune cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. Abnormal          lymphocytes become lymphoma cells, which grow uncontrollably in your lymph nodes and other tissues.
  
• Myeloma - This type of blood cancer affects the plasma cells, which are white blood cells responsible for the production of    disease-fighting antibodies in the body. Myeloma affects the production of plasma cells which results in weak immune            system.
  

Signs and Symptoms

Blood cancer is a type of malignancy which affects the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. Some of the common blood cancer symptoms include:

• Weakness, Fatigue, and Malaise
• Shortness of breath
  
• Minimal body strain results in bone fractures
  
• Excessive or easy bruising
  
• Bleeding gums
  
• Recurrent infections or fever
  
• Sweating of body during night
  
• Weight loss
  
• Frequent vomiting sensations
  
• Anorexia
  
• Lymph node (gland) enlargement
  
• Lumps or abdominal distension due to enlarged abdominal organs
  
• Abdominal pain, Bone pain and Back pain
  
• Delirium and confusion
  
• Abnormal bleeding in gums nose and cuts, which will lead to platelet reduction
  
• Headaches along with visual difficulties
  
• Occurrence of fine rashes on dark spots
  
• Decreased urination and difficulty while urinating
  

Causes of Blood Cancer

Although the specific cause of blood cancer is unknown, various factors are associated with its onset. Some causes are:

• Aging
• Family history
  
• Weak immune system
  
• Certain infections
  

Treatment

The primary objective of blood cancer treatment is the complete eradication of cancer. Several therapies for blood cancer are:

• Biological therapy to kill cancers
• Chemotherapy
  
• Bone Marrow Transplantation - This is typically a procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy        bone marrow stem cells. Max Healthcare’s stat-of-the-art HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered Bone Marrow            Transplant unit offers stem cell transplantation for both benign and malignant conditions in children and adults.
  
• The Department of Haemato-oncology is committed to improve the outlook for patients with myeloma by developing novel     therapeutic approaches based on a sound knowledge of the biology of the disease.
  
• A highly specialized team comprising of Haemato-oncologists & radiation oncologists provide state-of-the-art treatment for    a variety of cancers like lymphomas, leukemia and multiple myelomas.