Blood Cancer

Table of Contents

Cancer is characterized by the formation of tumours in different organs. But, blood is in a liquid state. How does cancer in blood appear? Let’s find about blood cancer in this article.

What is Blood?

Blood is the fluid connective tissue which is mainly involved in the transportation of nutrients, hormones, respiratory gases, etc. Blood also plays a major role in the management of body temperature, pH, and other thermoregulation processes.

Human blood is composed of different cells, including erythrocytes (RBCs), leucocytes (WBCs) thrombocytes (blood platelets), and plasma that includes protein, salts, and water.

What is Blood Cancer?

Blood Cancer is also called by the term hematologic cancer. This syndrome develops when the bone marrow and the blood cells get affected. Therefore, the production and function of these cells get impaired (fighting against infections and transport of oxygen) and the cancer cells grow out of control.

Read More: Blood 

Types Of Blood Cancer

Types of Blood Cancer

  • Leukaemia.
  • Lymphoma.
  • Myeloma.

Leukaemia: It is a type of blood cancer which affects the leukocytes, or white blood cells and bone marrow. This condition generally occurs when a body produces an excess of abnormal WBC. There are four main types of leukaemia, namely:

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Chronic myeloid leukaemia
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Lymphoma: It directly affects the lymphatic system which acts as a shield against infectious diseases. It may affect blood cells, spleen and bone marrow. There are mainly two types.

  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Hodgkin lymphoma.

Myeloma: It is a tumour of plasma cells. They are white Blood cells (WBC) that generate diseases fighting antibodies. This cancer prevents the production of antibodies thus leading to the weakening of the immune system. Henceforth our body will be prone to infection and other diseases.

Also Read: Antibodies 

Symptoms Of Blood Cancer

Symptoms of blood cancer

The symptoms of blood cancer both in men and women vary. Listed below are the generic symptoms of blood cancer.

  • Fever
  • A severe Headache
  • Itchy skin
  • Back Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Sudden weight loss
  • A cough that does not go away

Symptoms Of Blood Cancer in Women

  • Facing difficulty in swallowing
  • Frequent Infections
  • Weakness
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Nipple Changes
  • Wheezing
  • Swollen Breasts
  • Stomachache
  • No Appetite

Causes Of Blood Cancer

Causes of Blood Cancer

There is no certain reason for the cause of blood cancer. Some factors are related to age factor, hereditary, weakened immune system, infections, aids, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption,  exposure to chemotherapy, organ transplantation, usage of hair dies, some kind of petrochemicals and maternal-fetal transmission in rare cases.

Treatment For Blood Cancer

Blood Cancer Treatment

Treatment of cancer depends on the type of cancer, age, severity and many other factors. Some of the common treatment is stated below:

  • Radiation Therapy: Radiation is given to destroy cancer cells. They make use of high-energy X- rays. It also relieves pain. It is conducted before stem cell and bone marrow plantation.
  • Stem Cell Transplantation: Stem cells are collected from the bone marrow, umbilical cord, and peripheral blood. They inculcate healthy blood-forming stem cells.
  • Chemotherapy: It is a treatment that involves drugs that are mainly given to destroy the cancer cells.

This was a brief glimpse of blood cancer.  Learn more in detail about its types, symptoms, causes, treatments and other related topics at BYJU’S Biology.

Frequently Asked Questions on Blood cancer

Q1

What are the types of blood cancer?

Leukaemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma are the types of blood cancer.

Q2

What is Leukaemia?

Blood cancer that affects the leukocytes, or white blood cells, and bone marrow is called leukaemia. This condition generally occurs when a body produces an excess of abnormal WBC.

Q3

What is Lymphoma?

Cancer in the lymphatic system is termed lymphoma.

Q4

What is Myeloma?

Tumour of plasma cells is Myeloma. Plasma cells are the white Blood cells (WBC) that produce antibodies.

Q5

What are the treatment options available for blood cancer?

Radiation Therapy, Stem Cell Transplantation [bone marrow transplantation] and Chemotherapy are the treatment options for blood cancer.
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