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What is blood cancer
This is a common name groups malignant diseases that affect the hematopoietic organs, namely the bone marrow and its stem cells. Normally, all blood cells are formed from them: leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells. If pathologically altered cancer cells appear in the bone marrow, they gradually displace healthy ones, such as red blood cells, and disrupt their normal formation.
The type of disease depends on which blood cells are dividing incorrectly. But usually with blood cancer the number of white blood cells increases. They multiply quickly, but their structure is changed and the cells cannot perform their function. That’s why doctors call the disease leukemia and there are several types of it:
- myoblastic;
- lymphoblastic;
- erythromyeloblastic;
- monoblastic;
- megakaryoblastic;
- erythremia;
- lymphocytic leukemia;
- essential thrombocythemia;
- multiple myeloma;
- histiocytosis.
Why is blood cancer dangerous?
Blood cancer is considered a deadly disease, but it all depends on its type. For example, for acute myeloid leukemia for five years survives only 31.7% of cases. And in chronic lymphocytic leukemia this index better: About 70% of people are alive five years after the onset of the disease. It is believed that blood cancer cannot be cured; one can only achieve long-term remission, when the symptoms disappear or weaken and the disease stops progressing.
Due to pathology, a person becomes susceptible to infections, so a common cold can lead to serious complications and even death. In addition, cancer cells can damage the brain, which leads to disruption of its functions.
What are the signs of blood cancer?
Regardless of the type of disease, adults and children may experience the same symptoms. We have collected all possible manifestations of the disease. Here They:
1. Fatigue and fatigue
For example, after usual work, unusually strong fatigue appears. And rest does not always help restore strength. Doctors believe that such a symptom of blood cancer occurs due to a decrease in the level of red blood cells or when a large number of malignant cells appear, leading to thickening of the blood. As a result, the tissues do not receive enough oxygen, and the person gets tired faster.
2. Increase in body temperature
She can go higher norms at 37 °C. Moreover, sometimes this is associated with infectious diseases, and sometimes the cause cannot be determined.
3. Frequent infectious diseases
Although cancer increases the number of white blood cells in the blood, these cells are abnormally structured and cannot protect against infection. Therefore, a person catches one disease after another.
4. Sweating during sleep
Even at normal room temperatures, a person may sweat profusely while sleeping. Sweating is so intense that a change of clothing or bedding may be required.
5. Tendency to bleed
In blood cancer, the division of several types of cells is disrupted. Including platelets, which are responsible for coagulation. Because of this, a person’s gums often bleed, the nose may suddenly bleed, and bruises easily appear on the body. Sometimes small red dots (petechiae) appear on the skin due to slight bleeding.
6. Bone pain
Dividing blood cells accumulate inside the bones, causing severe bursting pain.
7. Belly enlargement
Since the bone marrow cannot provide the body with healthy cells, the liver and spleen take over the function of hematopoiesis. In addition, tumor cells are able to accumulate in these organs. As a result, the liver and spleen become greatly enlarged, which is especially noticeable in children. Adults usually experience abdominal pain and feeling distension under the ribs due to pressure from organs on neighboring ones.
8. Losing weight
An enlarged liver and spleen can put pressure on the stomach, so a person has a false feeling of fullness and eats less. In addition, metabolic disorders may occur, due to which body weight quickly drops – rapidly dividing tumor cells consume a large amount of energy.
9. Enlarged lymph nodes
Cancerous blood cells can accumulate in the lymph nodes. Therefore, dense balls appear on the neck, above the collarbones, in the armpits and in the groin. The lymph nodes inside the chest also become enlarged, but this can only be seen on photographs.
10. Skin formations
In some types of blood cancer, tumor cells can accumulate in any other organ or tissue, this is called “chloroma” or “granulocytic sarcoma”. Another rare manifestation is the formation of cutaneous leukemias (spots protruding above the skin).
11. Cough and difficulty breathing
If the lymph nodes and thymus enlarge in the chest, they put pressure on the trachea and bronchi. Therefore, it is difficult for a person to breathe and coughing often occurs.
12. Swelling in the upper body
The reason for them is still the same – enlarged thymus and lymph nodes of the chest. Only in this case do they put pressure on the superior vena cava and prevent the blood that comes from the arms and head from entering the heart. This is how venous stagnation occurs, which leads to swelling on the face, neck, chest or arms.
13. Brain damage
At an advanced stage, cancer cells can spread to the brain and spinal cord. This disrupts their functioning, and the person experiences headaches, and sometimes seizures, loss of memory, balance and blurred vision. Happens nausea and vomiting.
What to do if symptoms of blood cancer appear
If you find out that you have any of the above, this does not mean that you have cancer. Other diseases can manifest themselves this way. But in any case, you should consult a therapist who will prescribe a blood test. If there are abnormalities in the results that indicate a hematological disease, you will be referred to a hematologist. This specialist will conduct a thorough examination and prescribe treatment.
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