Blood Cancer Treatment in India.

Blood cancer impacts the production and functionality of blood cells in the body. It primarily originates in the bone marrow, which is the soft, spongy tissue found within bones. The bone marrow is responsible for generating stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Healthy blood cells play crucial roles in combating infections, transporting oxygen throughout the body, and regulating bleeding. Blood cancer occurs when the normal process of blood cell production is disrupted. In cases of blood cancer, abnormal blood cells can outnumber healthy ones, leading to a cascade of related health issues. Fortunately, advancements in treatment have enabled more individuals to live longer with blood cancer.

Types of blood cancer :

• Leukemia primarily affects the bone marrow and blood, leading to the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. Leukemia subtypes are : (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia)
• Lymphoma This cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. Major types are (Hodgkin Lymphoma & Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma)
• Myeloma Specifically known as multiple myeloma, this cancer affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies.
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) These are a group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells.
• Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) This group includes conditions where the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

Symptoms:

• Fatigue This refers to an overwhelming sense of tiredness that hinders your ability to perform daily tasks, often accompanied by feelings of weakness.
• Persistent fever fever without an obvious cause indicates that the body is either combating an infection or reacting to abnormal cancer cells.
• Drenching night sweats This symptom involves sudden episodes of sweating during sleep, which can disrupt rest and soak your bedding and clothing.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising While minor injuries typically result in bleeding and bruising, unusual cases involve bleeding that does not cease and bruises that fail to heal within two weeks.
• Unexpected weight loss A weight loss of 10 pounds over a span of six to twelve months, without an apparent cause, is classified as unexplained weight loss.
• Frequent infections A rise in the frequency of infections may indicate an underlying issue affecting the immune system.
• Swollen lymph nodes These symptoms could be indicative of leukemia or lymphoma.
• Bone pain Conditions such as myeloma and leukemia may lead to pain in the bones or tenderness in specific areas.

It is important to note that many symptoms associated with blood cancer can also resemble those of less severe illnesses. Experiencing any of these symptoms does not necessarily imply a diagnosis of blood cancer. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor if you observe any symptoms or bodily changes that persist for more than a few weeks.

Treatments:

Blood cancer treatment is not uniform across all cases. Various types of blood cancers respond differently to specific therapies. Additionally, certain treatments for blood cancer may lead to considerable side effects. Healthcare professionals take into account several factors, such as the patient's age, overall health, the specific type of blood cancer, and the potential side effects of treatments, before proposing a treatment strategy. Common approaches to treating blood cancer include:

• Chemotherapy : This is a fundamental treatment for blood cancer, aimed at destroying cancer cells to either slow the progression of the disease or eradicate it entirely. Different types of drugs are utilized depending on the specific blood cancer being treated.
• Radiation therapy : This method may be employed to address conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Radiation works by targeting abnormal cells and damaging their DNA, preventing them from reproducing. It is often used in conjunction with other treatment modalities and may also help alleviate certain symptoms.
• Immunotherapy : This approach harnesses the body’s immune system to combat cancer. Immunotherapy can enhance the production of immune cells or assist existing immune cells in identifying and destroying cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy : This treatment focuses on specific genetic alterations or mutations that transform healthy cells into malignant ones.
• CAR T-cell therapy : In this treatment, modified T-cell lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, to create a more potent cancer-fighting agent. CAR T-cell therapy may be utilized for conditions such as B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and various forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when other treatments have proven ineffective.
• Autologous stem cell transplant : In this procedure, bone marrow stem cells are collected and preserve prior to administering high doses of chemotherapy. After the chemotherapy is completed, the stored stem cells are reintroduced, allowing patients to mitigate some of the side effects associated with chemotherapy.
• Allogeneic stem cell transplant : In certain cases, it may be necessary to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy cells from a donor.