Unveiling the Mystery: Understanding Blood Cancer and Its Types

Posted On: 2023-10-17 15:15:54

Blood cancer is a complex and diverse disease affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. It can be a challenging diagnosis to comprehend due to its various types and subtypes. The production and functionality of blood cells are impacted by blood cancer. The soft, sponge-like substance called bone marrow, located in the middle of bones is where most blood tumours begin. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets develop from stem cells produced in the bone marrow.

 

Normal blood cells regulate bleeding, combat infection, and transport oxygen throughout the body. When the body's process for producing blood cells is interfered with, blood cancer results. When a person has blood cancer, their abnormal blood cells outnumber their normal blood cells, which can lead to various other illnesses. 

 

According to GLOBOCAN estimates, there are nearly 25,000 children diagnosed with cancer in India every year; around 9000 of these have leukaemia. Even with these conservative estimates, there would be 90,000 children with leukaemia in a decade in India.

 

Blood cancer is broadly categorised into three main types: leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

1. Leukaemia: One kind of blood cancer that mostly affects the bone marrow and blood is called leukaemia. It is associated with the rapid creation of abnormal white blood cells, which displace healthy blood cells. Acute and chronic types of leukaemia can be distinguished further by the rate at which the disease progresses: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia,  Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia.
2. Lymphoma: One of the main immune system components, the lymphatic system, is impacted by the blood cancer lymphoma. It has to do with the aberrant development of lymphocytes, a subset of white blood cells. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are subtypes of lymphoma.
3. Myeloma: A kind of blood cancer called myeloma attacks plasma cells, which are white blood cells that make antibodies to help fight infections. It mostly interferes with the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy blood cells.

 

The symptoms of blood cancer can vary based on the type and stage of the disease. Common symptoms may include Fatigue and weakness, Frequent infections, Unexplained weight loss, Swollen lymph nodes, Bruising or bleeding easily, Bone pain or tenderness and Shortness of breath.

 

 

Diagnosing blood cancer involves a series of tests and examinations, including Blood tests (complete blood count, blood smear), Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, Imaging studies (CT scan, PET scan), Lymph node biopsy and Genetic and molecular testing.

 

The treatment of blood cancer depends on the type, stage, and overall health of the patient. Common treatment options include Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Stem cell transplantation, Immunotherapy, Targeted therapy and Clinical trials. 

 

Filaantro along with Child Help Foundation has assisted many financially constrained children who are suffering from this deadly disease of blood cancer. The organisation works to help these children so they can have successful and promising futures. Since the organization's founding, 2879 children have received financial support for life-threatening medical conditions thanks to the kind donations made under the heading of "Good Health and Well-Being" at Emergency Medical Support. 

 

A campaign to help underprivileged children with Thalassemia has just been launched by the Child Help Foundation and Filaantro. Children receive first-rate care at Mumbai's highly specialised hospitals. Accommodations are given to the children and their families, namely at Arogya Sadan. All of their basic needs, including transportation to the hospitals, are met. Treatment for Thalassemia is now being given to fifty children.

 

It is essential to comprehend blood cancer and its many forms to promote early identification, suitable treatment, and better results. Rising awareness, research, and scientific developments in medicine are opening doors to better therapies and, eventually, a better future for those with blood cancer.

 

If you want to raise funds for a patient fighting blood cancer, you can start a campaign on Filaantro.

 

AUTHOR: ATHIRA PRADEEP NAIR