Cancer that affects blood cells is known as blood cancer. Some of the most prevalent types of blood cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. There are also types known as MPN and MDS. blood cancers are caused by changes (mutations) in the DNA found inside blood cells.
Blood cancers can be treated using a variety of techniques. Depending on the type of blood cancer you have, your current state of health, and your preferences, your doctor will advise a course of treatment.
What is Blood Cancer?
Cancer that affects your blood cells is known as blood cancer. Some of the most prevalent forms of blood cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Additionally, MPNs and MDS-designated types exist.
Blood cancer is brought on by modifications (mutations) in blood cells’ DNA. This causes the blood cells to start behaving abnormally. These changes are frequently connected to factors outside of our control. They are not heritable genetic flaws because they occur during a person’s lifetime.
Kids can develop certain types of blood cancer. Children and adults may experience various symptoms and require different therapies. Over 40,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer each year in the UK, and over 250,000 people are currently living with blood cancer.
Leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a few examples of the various types of blood cancer. Their individual diagnoses, prognoses, and symptoms vary. (Prognosis is the medical term for what’s likely to happen in the future.)
You will learn more about the particular type of blood cancer you have if you are diagnosed. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are two examples of different types of lymphoma. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are two different types of leukaemia.
Blood cancers can be categorized as either acute or chronic. Acute means fast-growing and chronic means slower growing.
What Causes Blood Cancer?
Although we don’t normally know exactly why someone will develop blood cancer, there are things that we know can affect your risk:
- Age
- Sex
- Ethnicity
- Family history
- Radiation or chemical exposure
- Some health conditions and treatments.
It depends on the type of blood cancer how these factors influence risk.
How to Treat Blood Cancer?
Watch and Wait
Some people with blood cancer don’t need treatment straight away, and some never need it. Your doctor might advise watch and wait if you have a slow-growing blood cancer. You will be monitored with regular check-ups and blood tests, but you won’t need to have active treatment.
Simply keeping watch and waiting does not preclude medical treatment. When your doctor feels that waiting to start treatment would not provide any additional benefits, it is offered.
A safe strategy that prevents the side effects of cancer treatments is to watch and wait if the cancer is not causing any bothersome symptoms. Only if and when you require it will you begin treatment.
Blood Transfusions
As a caregiver, you can accompany your loved one to the blood transfusion appointments which can last for several hours. Keep an eye on your loved one and notify the medical staff right away of any side effects that develop during or after the transfusion.
Radiation
For a period of two to ten weeks, treatments are typically administered every weekday. The appointments are typically brief. Despite the fact that the patient is only actually exposed to radiation for a short period of time, the patient will likely spend 20 to 30 minutes in the treatment area.
You can help by going with your loved one to these daily treatments or by coordinating schedules with family members and friends who are available to accompany your loved one if he or she doesn’t want to go alone. Radiotherapy patients frequently struggle with fatigue. To be able to rest, your loved one might require help with daily responsibilities.
Additionally, you might need to assist your loved one with skin care. Radiation can burn the skin in some ways, causing it to become red and irritated as well as occasionally blister. Your loved one should take a warm bath, cover up from the sun, and wear loose clothing. Without first consulting a member of the medical staff, avoid applying skincare products to the affected area.
You won’t be exposed to radiation if your loved one receives external beam radiation, and neither will anyone else who comes into contact with them.
Stem Cell Transplantation
The caregiver can help the patient with daily activities, assist with coping with side effects, and accompany the patient to treatment during the pretreatment (conditioning) chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.
The recipient of the stem cell transplant will stay in the hospital for at least 30 days following the procedure. Once the patient is discharged from the hospital, the caregiver can assist the patient in lowering the risk of infection by keeping the home clean, adhering to good food safety procedures, looking after any pets, encouraging good self-care and hygiene habits, and advising the patient to stay away from crowded areas and sick people. Along with monitoring the patient’s wellbeing, the caregiver can keep an eye out for GVHD symptoms and notify the medical staff of any changes.
The medical staff might insist that the patient find lodging closer to the treatment facility if your loved one lives more than 15 to 20 minutes away in case serious complications occur. Some treatment centers offer special housing for patients undergoing a stem cell transplant. Cost, however, might be a problem. With your medical team, go over your options.
Immunotherapy
The side effects of immunotherapy treatments and the ways in which they are administered differ. As the medical team is being informed of any new symptoms or side effects, ask them what to expect. As the caregiver, you can help your loved one to manage any side effects that do occur.
Your loved one might not require much help with daily activities depending on the specific treatment and side effects. However, cancer treatments can be physically and mentally exhausting, so he or she might require emotional support or assistance with cooking, cleaning, or grocery shopping. Your loved one can also receive immunotherapy treatments with your company, as well as have bloodwork and imaging tests performed on them.
Clinical Trial
A clinical trial may be considered, so inquire with the medical staff. A patient can take part in a clinical trial at any stage of their illness.
There are also many things a patient needs to consider before he or she decides to enter a clinical trial, including
- The potential side effects of the treatment
- Required tests and procedures
- The number of doctor visits
- The amount of time he or she may be required to be away from home.
In addition, it is important to understand which charges are covered by the clinical-trial sponsor, which are covered by the patient and which are covered by the insurance company.
Summary
Although it is regrettable, I must admit that blood cancers are difficult to treat and that no fully effective cure has yet been discovered. However, the progression can be slowed down by chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, etc.
FAQs
What Are the 3 Signs of Blood Cancer?
Bruising or bleeding that is unexplained. Lumps or swellings. Shortness of breath (breathlessness) Drenching night sweats.
Is Blood Cancer Curable?
For many people diagnosed with blood cancer, the aim of treatment will be to cure cancer. Thus, there is no longer any indication of cancer. This is referred to as complete remission. It’s also possible to have a partial remission if there are only small numbers of cancer cells left.
