Insights into Blood Cancer

Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world and blood cancer is a common term used for cancers arising from blood (leukemia), lymphatic system (lymphoma) and bone marrow (myeloma). In this case, you can see an uncontrolled growth of a particular component of blood which causes adverse effects on the body. It is also known as hematologic cancer.

Fortis Hospital provides quality blood cancer treatment in India with experienced oncologists who are capable of handling any kind of complications. Let’s understand the basics of blood cancer:

Ø  Leukemia affects white blood cells

Healthy white blood cells help your body fight infection. Now, if a person has leukemia, abnormal white blood cells form in the bone marrow and spread into the bloodstream where they compete with healthy cells, thereby weakening the immune system.

Ø  Myeloma affects plasma cells

Plasma cells are basically white blood cells that produce antibodies. In myeloma, abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, causing weak bones, fractures and other such symptoms.

Ø  No screening for early detection

Unlike breast or colon cancer, which can be detected and treated at an early stage, there are no such effective screening tests available for blood cancer. This means that people with this disease are usually unaware until they experience symptoms like weight loss, fever or weakened immunity.

Ø  Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the usual choice of treatment. It involves taking drugs that destroy cancer cells, leading to slowing down the progression of the disease. In some cases, patients might have to undergo radiation therapy and bone marrow transplant.

Ø  Living longer and better

Survival rates have doubled in the last 20 years. New treatments are being introduced that target specific proteins in cancer walls without causing any further harm to other cells. This leads to fewer side effects and guarantee longevity of life for patients.

Ø  On the verge of discovery

Introducing new cutting-edge technology, Fortis has thrived to be one of the best cancer hospitals in India. These treatments which include immunologic treatments that harness the body’s immune system to fight malignancy have proved to be effective in the long run.

Ø  But there’s a long way to go

Fortunately, blood cancer is a type of cancer in which the cure rate is immensely high. With the right medication and treatment, a patient can actually be entirely cured. One should exercise regularly, live a healthy lifestyle, compromise on junk and drink plenty of water in order to prevent this from spreading further.

Fighting blood cancers is a massive effort. We’re all in it together.