Blood cancer

Blood cancer or leukemia is cancer that attacks white blood cells. White blood cells are blood cells that are useful to protect the body against foreign objects or disease. These white blood cells are produced by the spinal cord..
Under normal circumstances, white blood cells can develop in an orderly manner while the body needs it to eradicate infections that arise. But it is different with blood cancer. Bone marrow can produce abnormal white blood cells, is unable to function properly together, and is excessive. Excessive amounts can make a buildup in the bone marrow so that healthy blood cells can be reduced.

In addition to accumulating, further abnormal cells including being able to spread to other organs, such as the liver, lymph, lungs, kidneys, especially to the brain and spine.

Types of Blood Cancer

There are various models of blood cancer. Based on the speed of its development, this cancer can be classified into acute and chronic.

Acute blood cancer develops together rapidly due to adding the number of abnormal white blood cells or immature cells so that they cannot function normally. This growth is too rapid even though its spread into the bloodstream. This type must be handled together immediately. If left unchecked, the body will lack of oxygen and the immune system against disease or infection decreases.

Meanwhile, chronic blood cancer develops slowly and in the long run. White blood cells which should have died will forever live and accumulate in the bloodstream, bone marrow, and other related organs. These cells are more mature so that they can function well together for a few moments. Therefore, the symptoms tend not to be felt immediately so that they can only be diagnosed after many years.

Calculated blood cancers can be categorized according to the model of the white blood cell that is attacked. Blood cancer that attacks lymph cells is known by the term lymphotic leukemia and which attacks myeloid cells is called myelogenic leukemia.

Based on the two groupings above, there are four models of blood cancer that most often occur. The following is an explanation for each type.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)

ALL is able to prevent the function of lymphocytes so that sufferers have the potential to experience serious infections. This blood cancer is usually suffered by children, but is able to count as adults.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)

This is a type of blood cancer that usually attacks adults. But AML is considered capable of being infected by children and adolescents. This cancer can form imperfect myeloid cells and are able to clog arteries.

Severe lymphotic leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)


This type of blood cancer is only experienced by adults. CLL is usually only detected at an advanced stage because the patient is inclined to not feel the symptoms for long periods.

Severe myelogenic leukemia or chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
This type of blood cancer is usually suffered by people along with age over 20 years. CML has two stages. In the first stage, abnormal cells can develop slowly. When entering the second stage, the quantity of abnormal cells can be added together rapidly in order to experience a drastic decrease.

In general, blood cancer or leukemia involves the bone marrow which is the area of ​​making white blood cells. Cells that are generally effective at eradicating this infection grow abnormally so that its continuation makes the immune system not be used maximally.
 
Symptoms of Blood Cancer

Symptoms of blood cancer are very diverse. Each patient generally experiences different indications, depending on the type of blood cancer that has.

These indications of cancer tend to be difficult to recognize because they tend to be similar to other conditions, like the flu. Therefore, we must be aware of common symptoms that do not improve or subside, such as:

  •     Continued fatigue or fatigue.
  •     Fever.
  •     Shivering.
  •     Headache.
  •     Throws up.
  •     Excessive sweating, especially at night.
  •     Pain in bones or joints.
  •     Weight loss.
  •     Swelling of lymph stains, liver or spleen.
  •     Chronic or frequent infections occur.
  •     Bleeding easily (eg frequent nosebleeds) or bruises.
  •     Red spots appear against the skin.

If you or your child experience the above symptoms, immediately contact and consult a doctor. Especially for signs that often recur or do not improve.

Causes and Risk Factors for Blood Cancer

The basic cause of blood cancer is not known with certainty. However, it is considered that DNA mutations in white blood cells cause changes in the actions of each cell. In addition, other changes in white blood cells due to genes and environmental factors are also thought to play a role in the impact of leukemia.

Factors considered to increase the risk of blood cancer include:

  •     Heredity or genetics. People with Down syndrome or other rare genetic problems increase the risk of experiencing acute leukemia. Whereas chronic lymphatic leukemia is often passed down in families and is usually experienced by men. In addition, a family history of leukemia can also increase the risk of experiencing the same disease.
  •     Never pursue cancer treatment. Chemotherapy or certain radiotherapy is considered to have an impact on blood cancer.
  •     Have experienced exposure to high levels of radiation or certain chemicals. For example, people who have been involved in accidents related to nuclear reactors or have been exposed to chemicals like benzene.
  •     Smoke. Cigarettes can not only increase the risk of blood cancer (especially acute myelogenic leukemia), but also various other diseases.

Even so, a large number of people with high risks above do not have leukemia. On the other hand, leukemia sufferers are often found precisely in people who do not have these risks.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Blood Cancer

In the initial step, the doctor will ask for symptoms before you will check your physical condition. On physical examination, the doctor will look for some symptoms of leukemia like pale skin due to anemia, swollen lymph nodes, and also an enlarged liver and spleen. If the doctor suspects you have blood cancer, the doctor will recommend a more detailed check which includes a blood test and also a bone marrow biopsy.

In a blood test, the doctor will look for abnormalities derived from the number of white blood cells or platelets. Leukemia sufferers generally have a dose of white blood cells that are much higher than normal.

In addition, your doctor may recommend that you carry out a spinal cord test. During this check, the doctor will use a long, non-thick needle to take over the sample of your spinal cord tissue. This tissue sample will then be checked further in the laboratory to state the model of blood cancer you are experiencing and also the most appropriate healing options.

Treatment for Blood Cancer


After a positive blood cancer diagnosis, the doctor will discuss the right way to cure. The type of treatment you will go through depends on your age, your health condition, and the model or stage of blood cancer that you have.

The following are healing methods that are generally recommended for tackling blood cancer, including:

  •     Chemotherapy is the most common treatment choice for leukemia problems. Chemotherapy treatment uses chemicals to kill blood cancer cells.
  •     Radiotherapy. This healing technique uses X-rays to destroy and prevent the development of cancer cells. Radiotherapy can only be done on certain areas that have cancer, or on the whole body, depending on your condition. Radiotherapy is considered capable of being carried out in preparation for carrying out stem cell transplants.
  •     Stem cell transplantation to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy ones. The stem cells used can originate from your own body or the body of another person as a donor. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy will generally be done as a way of preparation before going into this transplant procedure.
  •     Focused therapy to attack the vulnerable parts in cancer cells.
  •     Biological therapy to support the body's immune process recognizes and attacks cancer cells.
  •     Joint waiting for supervision. This is intended for patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia. In this therapy, careful observation is carried out to see the progress of the disease function. This therapy is considered capable of being performed unless a person has been proven to have chronic lymphatic leukemia, but has no symptoms that indicate the disease.

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