A blood cancer diagnosis can leave patients and their families with more questions than answers.
- What happens next?
- Will chemotherapy be needed?
- Is there any other way of treating it?
- What if the cancer returns?
Such questions are quite natural, and it is important to note that treatment for blood cancer is not confined to chemotherapy anymore. For different types of blood cancer and for every individual patient, doctors might consider using targeted drugs, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, or more recent treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy.
Just because there are more treatments available doesn’t mean that the latest one is automatically the best. The appropriate treatment will vary according to the type of cancer, its particular features, how it reacts to treatment, the treatments that the patient has already received, and the patient’s general health. To put it simply, treatment for blood cancer should be personalized to the individual rather than merely to the disease.
For both patients and their families, knowing what to expect can help make the process of receiving treatment a bit less stressful. This Blood Cancer Awareness Month, let’s examine the seven key points that patients and families should know regarding current blood cancer care.
1. Recognise the early signs of blood cancer
The symptoms of blood cancer can differ a great deal according to the type and stage of the disease and, in some cases, symptoms may also appear with common infections or other non-cancerous conditions, so the presence of one symptom does not mean that a person has cancer.
For instance, the symptoms of leukemia can be caused by abnormal blood cells displacing the healthy blood cells. The symptoms of lymphoma may involve painless enlargement of the lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and unexpected weight loss. With multiple myeloma the symptoms may be bone pain, weakness, frequent infections, and abnormal bleeding or bruising.
2. Realise that blood cancer has different types
It is important to understand the diagnosis since the treatment relies greatly on the specific type and features of the cancer.
Leukemia
It usually starts in the tissues that produce blood, such as the bone marrow, and is characterised by abnormal blood cells. It can be acute, which means that it advances quickly, or chronic, which means that it progresses more slowly.
Lymphoma
Arises from lymphocytes, which are a kind of white blood cell that forms part of the immune system. It comprises both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Multiple Myeloma
It arises from abnormal plasma cells, which are a type of immune cell located in the bone marrow. These abnormal cells can interfere with the production of normal blood cells and may also cause the bones to become weak.
Since these diseases are different, patients ought not to compare their diagnosis or treatment directly with that of another person.
3. It is not always clear what the causes and risk factors of blood cancer are
For the majority of blood cancers there is no one particular cause and the causes and risk factors for blood cancer will differ depending on the specific type of the disease.
Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing certain blood cancers, such as an advanced age, having undergone previous chemotherapy or radiation treatment, suffering from specific genetic or inherited disorders, experiencing immune-system disorders, and being affected by some infections or environmental exposures.
However, there are a great many people who have been diagnosed with blood cancer and who have no identifiable risk factor. It therefore follows that patients should not suppose that their disease was caused merely by their lifestyle choices.
4. You need more than one test to make a diagnosis
No, one blood test can be used to confirm all the different types of blood cancer; instead, doctors generally combine the patient’s medical history, a physical examination, blood tests, imaging studies, and in some cases bone marrow or lymph node testing.
The kind of tests carried out will depend on the disease in question and may involve a full blood count, an examination of the blood cells, flow cytometry, genetic or molecular tests, imaging scans, a lymph node biopsy, or an examination of the bone marrow.
Routine screening is not similarly recommended for most blood cancers as there are established screening programmes for some other types of cancer. Rather, doctors look into persistent symptoms, abnormal test results, or particular risk factors.
If it is suspected that the symptoms or the abnormal blood counts indicate a problem, it is advisable to consult a doctor who specialises in blood cancer, or a hemato-oncologist, in order to make sure that the right tests and diagnosis are carried out.
5. The treatment of blood cancer in modern times is highly individualised
The way in which blood cancer is treated depends on the specific type of cancer, its genetic features, the stage or the extent of the disease, the previous treatments received, the patient’s general health, and the response to therapy.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy in selected situations
- Stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant
- CAR-T cell therapy for eligible patients
Supportive treatment to manage infections, anemia, bleeding, or other complications
In some cases treatment will be needed right away, while in other instances, where the condition is one that grows slowly, it will at first be carefully monitored without treatment being started immediately.
A team made up of specialists is able to assist with coordinating the patient’s diagnosis, the planning of treatment, transplantation, supportive care, infection management, and follow-up based on the individual needs of the patient.
6. What constitutes CAR-T cell therapy?
CAR-T cell therapy is a highly advanced type of personalized immunotherapy which is used in the case of certain blood cancers.
T cells, which are a kind of immune cell, are taken from the patient’s blood. In a special laboratory the cells are altered so that they will be able to identify specific targets on cancer cells. The cells are then multiplied and given back to the patient, where they can go on to attack the cancer cells.
CAR-T therapy isn’t appropriate for all patients who have blood cancer. Whether or not a patient is eligible will depend on various factors, including the type of blood cancer, the treatments they have already received, their current disease status, their general health, and whether the cancer has the suitable target for the therapy.
It may also lead to serious side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome and neurological complications in certain patients; because of this, those patients who receive CAR-T therapy need to undergo specialized evaluation, monitoring, and have supportive care.
CAR-T therapy has now become an important treatment option for some patients who have relapsed or whose blood cancers are resistant to treatment.
7. The quality of early medical care and the need for follow-up by specialists are important
It is not always possible to prevent blood cancer, but by keeping your general health good, avoiding tobacco, sticking to recommended vaccinations and infection-prevention measures, eating a balanced diet, remaining physically active as far as you can, and going to your medical appointments you can help to maintain your overall health both during and after treatment.
Most important of all, persistent symptoms must not be ignored. Anyone experiencing unexplained bruising, frequent infections, a persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, unusual bleeding, or ongoing bone pain should have it looked at by a medical professional, especially if the symptoms last or occur together.
Because of advances in treatment, the fact that someone has blood cancer does not mean that there are no treatments available to them. The kind of treatment to which patients may have access will depend on the specific disease and may include chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy, transplantation, cellular therapies, or taking part in a clinical trial.
There are several different kinds of blood cancer, and in each case a tailored method of diagnosis and treatment is needed. If people notice worrying symptoms, get an accurate diagnosis, and see a qualified blood cancer specialist, they will be better able to understand their options and obtain the right kind of care.
If you or any member of your family are experiencing persistent symptoms or have already been given a diagnosis of blood cancer, it is advisable to consult a hemato-oncology team in order to find out what treatment options are most suitable for the individual patient.
At Omega Hospitals a multidisciplinary team consisting of hemato-oncology specialists and other healthcare professionals collaborates on assessing each patient’s condition and on drawing up an appropriate treatment plan. The treatment will be chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation or advanced cellular therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy, depending on the diagnosis and the individual needs.
Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes. If you or a family member is experiencing unexplained fatigue, frequent infections, unusual bruising, or swollen lymph nodes — do not wait.
Consult with a Specialist at Omega Hospitals
FAQs
1. What are the early signs and symptoms of blood cancer?
Unusual tiredness, frequent infections, unexplained fever, easy bruising or bleeding, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes can be some warning signs. These symptoms can also occur with other conditions, so proper evaluation is important.
2. Is blood cancer curable?
Yes, many types of blood cancer can be treated successfully, and some can be cured completely.
3. What causes blood cancer?
In most cases, there isn’t one clear cause. Changes in the blood-forming cells can happen due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and sometimes they occur without any known reason.
4. Is blood cancer hereditary?
Most blood cancers are not directly inherited from parents. Having a family history may increase the risk in some cases, but it does not mean a person will definitely develop blood cancer.
5. What are the treatment options for blood cancer?
Treatment depends on the type and stage of blood cancer. It may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell or bone marrow transplant, or a combination of these.