Blood Cancer

Blood cancer or leukaemia is the cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal reproduction of blood cells (usually white blood cells). However, Leukaemia is a broader term which incorporates a spectrum of diseases. This is a malignant form of blood- formulating organs.

Types of Leukaemia :

Leukaemia is clinically divided into several large groups which include division in between its acute and chronic forms :

• Acute Leukaemia : the rapid increase of immature blood cells is known as acute leukaemia. This accumulation of excessive immature blood cells hinders the reproduction of healthy blood cells by the bone marrow resulting into the stage of blood cancer. This form of leukaemia occurs in children and young adults mainly. This rapid reproduction therefore requires immediate treatment else it spills over into bloodstream and spreads to the other healthy organs of the body.
• Chronic Leukaemia : The excessive formulation of comparatively mature, but still abnormal blood cells in human body is characterised as chronic leukaemia. These cells reproduces at much higher speed than normal cells which results into formulation of many immature blood cells in the blood. It comparative affects the old age people than the young. The chronic leukaemia at times is monitored for before prescribing the treatment.

Symptoms of Blood Cancer :

In the case of blood cancer the bone marrow is damaged, which results into lack of blood platelets. These blood platelets are important for the process of blood clotting therefore in the patients suffering from blood cancer becoming bruised; bleeding excessively or developing pinprick bleeds are common features. Other main symptoms of the disease include :

• These symptoms include fever, chills, night sweats.
• Headaches
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Enlarged liver
• Infections frequently
• Pain in the bones
• Swollen tonsils
• Paleness
• Extreme weight loss
  

Treatment of Blood Cancer :

Blood cancer is rather a cluster of cancers developed in the blood cells and therefore the patients with leukaemia requires special treatment. The special cancer centres can only meet those special needs. The treatment of blood cancer is a complete program which the patients have to follow in order to achieve best results. These include :

1. Chemotherapy : is the first method to destroy those leukaemic cells by the usage of anti cancer drugs.
2. Interferon therapy : is effective to slow down the rate of reproduction of the leukaemic cells and helps the immune system to build sufficient anti- leukaemia activity.
3. Radiation therapy : this therapy is effective to kill cancer cells with the process of exposure to high- energy radiations.
4. Stem Cell Transplantation : This procedure is required in order to enable treatment with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
5. Surgery : The surgery is performed for the removal of an enlarged spleen or to install a venous access device to give medications and withdraw blood samples.