Vital Insights
Blood cancer is a very serious disease that affects the production and function of blood cells. In recent years, treatments like Adcetris have provided hope for patients, offering targeted therapy for certain types of blood cancer. Adcetris is a medication used to treat various types of lymphoma and certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This article will outline eight key signs of blood cancer, discuss the different types of blood cancers and explore available treatment options.
8 Signs That Could Point to Blood Cancer
These are eight signs of blood cancer you can look out for:
1. Unexplained Weight Loss
Weight loss isn’t inherently nefarious. But if it’s sudden, unexplained or a dramatic amount of weight loss, that can be a sign of blood cancer, as the body uses up more energy to fight the disease.
2. Persistent Fatigue
Unlike regular tiredness, cancer-related fatigue is persistent and not relieved by rest or sleep.
3. Frequent Infections
Blood cancers often weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to frequent infections that are harder to shake off.
4. Unusual Bleeding or Bruising
Easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds or excessive bleeding from minor cuts can indicate abnormalities in the blood. You can also make note of how long it takes for your injury to heal, as blood cancer can sometimes lead to a slower healing process.
5. Swollen Lymph Nodes
Enlarged lymph nodes, especially those that are not painful, can be an early sign of blood cancer.
6. Fever and Night Sweats
Persistent fevers and excessive sweating at night, without any apparent infection, are common symptoms.
7. Bone Pain
Pain or tenderness in the bones, particularly in the back or ribs, can be associated with blood cancers like multiple myeloma.
8. Paleness and Shortness of Breath
Anemia caused by blood cancer can lead to a pale complexion and shortness of breath due to reduced red blood cell counts.
Catching blood cancer early on is crucial for your prognosis. You can do so by paying close attention to your body’s well-being and whether you have symptoms.
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have bone cancer. However, if you have multiple tangents or the symptoms are severe or debilitating, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor. Even if what you’re experiencing isn’t cancer, your doctor can still help you get to the bottom of the symptoms you are experiencing.
Different Kinds of Blood Cancer
There isn’t just one type of blood cancer. If you do have blood cancer, it is crucial to understand which one you have so that you and your doctor can determine the best treatment and plan for you.
Leukemia
Leukemia starts in the bone marrow and leads to the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells that then can’t fight infections. It is the most common form of childhood cancer.
Lymphoma
This is a cancer of the lymph system. This network of vessels includes your lymph nodes, spleen and thymus gland. The vessels store and carry white blood cells to help your body fight infections. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma (characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a diverse group of blood cancers affecting lymphocytes).
Myeloma
Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. Multiple myeloma can cause bone damage, kidney dysfunction and immune system impairment.
Treatment Options
Chemotherapy
This is the most common treatment for blood cancers, using drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. It can be administered orally or intravenously and is often used in combination with other treatments. Chemotherapy is a very aggressive form of treatment.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells. It can be used to shrink tumors or as a part of a conditioning regimen before a stem cell transplant.
Stem Cell Transplant
Also known as bone marrow transplant, this procedure replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
Targeted Therapy
Drugs like Adcetris specifically target cancer cells with minimal damage to normal cells. Adcetris is used to treat certain types of lymphoma by targeting CD30-positive cancer cells.
Immunotherapy
This treatment boosts the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. It includes monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy, which modifies a patient’s T-cells to attack cancer cells.
Read on to learn about the signs of a blood clot.