Cancer is a general (Medical) term used to describe malignant neoplasm; carcinoma or sarcoma; especially the former.
Simply put, neoplasm is an abnormal growth of body tissues and the word "Malignant" simply means resistance to treatment occurring in severe form and frequently tending to become worse.
Blood cancer, also known as hematological malignancy, is a type of cancer that leads to the abnormal growth and multiplication of one variant of blood cells (e.
g Leukocyte) inducing the hypo-production of other blood cell types thereby affecting hematopoiesis, the circulatory and the lymphoid system of the body; with its focal point usually the bone marrow.
The major function of the bone marrow is Hematopoiesis which means ''the origin, development and Maturation of all blood cells.
" The whole process of hematopoiesis after birth starts in the bone marrow with the Stem cell called the Committed Pluripotent Hematopoietic Stem cell, which further develops into other types of blood cell in the Human body (e.
g.
the Red blood cells better known as the Erythrocytes etc.
).
To hit the bull's eye, blood cancer is a disease that affects the bone marrow and lymph nodes.
The disease which is diagnosed and treated by oncologists and hematologists; could be life threatening in most cases.
Its pathogenicity is due to the abnormal growth and multiplication of one variant of blood cells leading to their hyper-production and the hypo-production of the other types of blood cells produced by the bone marrow resulting in several abnormalities in the body such as anemia and bone marrow destruction.
Blood cancer has a secondary effect on the lymphatic system particularly the lymph nodes of the body.
This effect is the excessive removal of fluid from the body which brings several pathologies such as dehydration and weight loss.
There are three major types of Blood Cancer: 1.
Leukemia: Due to cancerous growth of abnormal Leukocytes (W.
B.
C).
2.
Lymphoma: Affecting the lymphatic system, causing excessive efflux of fluid from the circulatory system.
3.
Myeloma: Affects mainly the B-Lymphocytes, specifically the plasma cells.
Since all the affected cells are both hormonal and immune, abnormality in their production and function results in a breakdown of the body's normal functions.
Generally, diseases that lead to an upset in the normal functioning and composition of the body's hormonal and immune system could be life-threatening in most cases and hence need special attention.
Symptoms of Hematological Malignancy (Blood Cancer): - Anemia - Arthralgia (Joint pain) and Bone pain - Weakness and general fatigue - Anorexia - Weight loss - Lymph node enlargement & shortness of breath among others.
• Treatment: There are no specific treatments available to the mass presently.
However, if you experience some or all of the symptoms listed above, it is advisable to plan an immediate visit to a physician in order to ensure early detection of possible ailments.
Diagnosis and treatment of blood cancer are carried out by oncologists and/or hematologists and in severe cases treatment might involve bone marrow/tissue transplant which is a very delicate, difficult and expensive surgical procedure.