Blood cancer refers to various types of cancer that can affect your blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. It is a life-threatening condition that disrupts the production and function of blood cells, which are essential for maintaining health. These cells provide energy, combat infections, and prevent excessive bleeding. Fortunately, modern medicine offers numerous effective and safe treatment options for blood cancer.

What is Blood Cancer?

Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer, occurs when there is an issue with the formation of your blood cells. It mostly originates in the bone marrow, where blood cells are formed, affecting the body’s ability to produce and regulate blood cells. Normal blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen, fighting infections, and controlling bleeding. Blood cancer occurs when abnormal blood cells multiply uncontrollably, crowding out healthy cells and impairing the body’s ability to function properly.

What Are the Different Types of Blood Cancer?

Blood cancer can be classified into three main types, each with several subtypes:

• Leukemia: The most common type of blood cancer in children and teenagers. Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and results in the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. Types of leukemia include acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
• Lymphoma: This cancer affects the lymphatic system. Its main types are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and B-cell and T-cell lymphoma.
• Myeloma: It originates in the bone marrow and affects plasma cells. The most common type is multiple myeloma, with others like plasmacytoma and amyloidosis.

What Causes Blood Cancer?

The exact cause of blood cancer is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to the development of blood cancer:

• Genetic factors: Blood cancer is known to result from genetic mutations or changes in the DNA of blood cells. DNA provides instructions for cells to grow, divide, and die. In blood cancer, these instructions become faulty, leading to the production of abnormal cells that multiply rapidly and live longer than normal cells. The risk increases if you have a family history of blood cancer.
• Age: With advanced age, the chances of getting blood cancer increase.
• Immune system disorders: A weakened or compromised immune system may fail to detect and destroy abnormal cells, allowing them to multiply.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to high levels of radiation, certain chemicals, and infections can increase the risk of developing blood cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Blood Cancer

Symptoms of blood cancer can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease, but there are common symptoms, including:

• Persistent fatigue, weakness
• Persistent fever and chills
• Night sweats
• Nausea and headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Bone/joint pain
• Abdominal discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Frequent infections
• Swollen lymph nodes or enlarged organs

How Is Blood Cancer Diagnosed?

The diagnostic process for blood cancer often begins with a review of symptoms and medical history, followed by a physical examination. Common tests used to diagnose blood cancer include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Blood chemistry test
• Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Blood cell examination

What Are the Different Treatment Options for Blood Cancer?

Blood cancer treatment is tailored as per individual needs based on the type and stage of cancer as well as the patient’s overall health. Some common treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy: A primary treatment for blood cancer, chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Chemotherapy can be systemic (affecting the entire body) or targeted to specific areas.
• Immunotherapy: It uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer by enhancing the immune response and killing cancer cells directly.
• Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments to reduce tumor size and relieve symptoms.
• Targeted therapy: This treatment focuses on specific genetic mutations that turn healthy cells into abnormal cells.
• CAR T-cell therapy: A cutting-edge treatment that modifies T-cells (a type of white blood cell) to attack cancer cells more effectively.
• Stem Cell Transplants: Replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a suitable bone marrow donor.

Visit the Best Cancer Hospital in Delhi for Blood Cancer Treatment

When it comes to blood cancer treatment, choosing the right hospital is essential. Lyfe Medicare Cancer Center, the best cancer hospital in Delhi, offers world-class care with state-of-the-art facilities.

For those seeking the best blood cancer treatment in Delhi, book an appointment with Lyfe Medicare Cancer Center for exceptional, patient-centered care and best results.