Signs, symptoms, stages and treatment of blood cancer
Content:
- What is blood cancer?
- Blood cancer symptoms
- Causes of blood cancer
- Stage 4 blood cancer
- Blood cancer in children
- Blood Cancer Treatment
What is blood cancer?
Blood cancer is a malignant disease that affects and destroys the hematopoietic system. Its distinctive characteristic should be considered that uncontrolled division occurs, as well as the accumulation of leukocytes belonging to the immature form.
This reproduction can take place not only in the bone marrow, but also in the blood passing along the periphery, as well as in the internal organs. As a result, the tumor initially grows in the bone marrow, and then replaces the "healthy" processes of blood formation.
In the course of the further development of the disease, a patient with blood cancer develops many diseases that are associated with:
- An increased degree of bleeding;
- General weakening of the immune system;
- Accession of complications of an infectious type.
An alternative and more scientific name for blood cancer is leukemia, as well as leukemia.
Blood cancer classification
The usual subdivision of the disease into categories implies the allocation of two main forms: acute and chronic blood cancer.
The acute course of blood cancer is determined by a significant number of immature cells that suppress the standard production of blood. A sign of chronic leukemia is considered to be overly active formation of two types of bodies: granulocytes or granular leukocytes. As noted above, it is they who eventually replace the healthy cells that previously formed blood.
Both acute and chronic forms of leukemia are two different hematological diseases. Unlike other diseases, an acute type of blood cancer can never be a chronic form of leukemia, and a chronic type of blood cancer can never be more severe.
How long do people live with blood cancer?
The prognosis for chronic leukemia is many times more positive than for acute forms. An extremely fast, even aggressive course of acute leukemia always provokes the same rapid "extinction" of the patient.
Presented form of leukemia:
- Practically not amenable to adequate treatment;
- Often turns out to be a catalyst for the formation of lymphoblastic leukemia (in about 80% of cases).
With this type of late-stage leukemia, it can take months. In case of timely intervention - from two to five years.
Chronic leukemia is defined by a slower course. However, this happens exactly until a certain stage, at which the so-called "blast crisis" occurs. In this case, chronic leukemia in fact acquires all the features of an acute one.
The lethal outcome at this stage may well come from any consequences of the disease. Medical intervention provided on time makes it possible for many years and even decades to achieve long-term remission.
The life span of a patient if he is sick with blood cancer directly depends on the adequacy of treatment, the general picture and the stage of the disease. In the best case, a person can be cured and live to old age. The younger the patient, the greater the chances of a 100% recovery.
Blood cancer symptoms
Early stage of acute leukemia
Symptoms of early leukemia should be distinguished from those of a later stage. At the initial stage, the patient is faced with:
- Painful sensations in the abdominal cavity, especially in its upper region;
- Soreness in the joints, which may be accompanied by "aches" in the bones;
- Frequent bleeding, which is difficult to stop;
- Forced formation of bruises or blood stains;
- A significant increase in the size of not only the liver, but also the lymph nodes;
- Constant weakness, lethargy and apathy;
- A condition that resembles a fever in symptoms;
- Frequent infectious diseases;
- Frequent urge to urinate.
As a rule, this stage of blood cancer is diagnosed already after the fact - during the transition to the next stage of the disease.
Advanced stage of acute type blood cancer
The so-called "advanced stage" is accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Nausea, which the patient perceives as sudden attacks of malaise, which from time to time are accompanied by significant dizziness and even vomiting;
- Motion sickness or motion sickness in any vehicle, even if there have never been such signs before;
- Active perspiration at night;
- Rapid weight loss that occurs for no apparent reason.
After timely treatment, it can develop into the following stages:
- Remission (in the patient's blood cells of the blast type are not formed for several years. We are talking about five to seven years);
- Terminal (this reveals an absolute suppression of the hematopoietic system, in which normal functioning is simply impossible).
Late stage acute type blood cancer
At a late stage, if leukemia has not been detected, but the following symptoms appear, the patient needs the most urgent hospitalization:
- Lips and nails turn blue;
- Modifications of all levels of consciousness or an increased degree of anxiety. In this case, fainting conditions can form for no reason, and there is also an absence of any reactions to external stimuli;
- Painful sensations in the region of the heart, tightness or significant pressure in the chest, palpitation (forced heartbeat with an irregular rhythm);
- Increased body temperature (over 38 ° C);
- An extremely high degree of frequency of contractions of the heart muscle (tachycardia);
- Dyspnea is a dysfunction of the respiratory system characterized by difficulty or hoarseness;
- Formation of seizures;
- Perceptible painful tremors in the abdominal cavity;
- Uncontrolled or strong enough blood flow.
Chronic symptoms
The chronic form of blood cancer is characterized by individual symptoms:
- The initial stage takes place without obvious outward manifestations, in the case of studies, it becomes possible to identify an increased number of granular leukocytes (otherwise it is called the monoclonal phase of blood cancer);
- The polyclonal stage is characterized by the formation of secondary tumors, a significant change in the number of blast cells. Also, this stage is characterized by the manifestation of complications in the form of damage to the lymph nodes, a significant change in the size of the liver and spleen.
Causes of blood cancer
The exact factors leading to the development of leukemia have not yet been determined, but there are certain reasons that contribute to the formation of this ailment:
- Oncology in the history of the disease. Patients who have previously received chemotherapy or radiotherapy for any other type of cancer are significantly more likely to develop any form of leukemia;
- Diseases of a genetic nature. Certain anomalies received by a person at birth, for example, Down's syndrome, greatly increase the risk of developing leukemia;
- Some diseases associated with the functioning of the blood and blood vessels, for example, myelodysplastic type syndrome, which also increases the risk of blood cancer;
- The influence of a significant level of radiation can be a catalyst for the formation of a wide variety of oncological diseases;
- Active influence of certain chemicals. Interaction with toxic materials, for example benzene, is extremely dangerous. Because it is the reason for the increased risk of developing leukemia;
- Leukemia in one of the relatives. Experts have proven that patients, blood relatives (close ones) faced with blood cancer, are most prone to leukemia. It is advisable for such patients to undergo medical examinations as often as possible, especially if they have any other risk factors for leukemia.
- The use of some powerful drugs.
See also: Other Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
It is important to remember that oncology of the hematopoietic system is still one of the most mysterious ailments. It is quite common for those who do not have any factors associated with such risks to get blood cancer. Therefore, the best way of prevention would be to undergo medical examinations every six months and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Stage 4 blood cancer
Separately, it is necessary to talk about the fourth stage of blood cancer. This stage is known as the last, that is, irreversible or reversible, but a maximum of 5% of cases.
At the same time, chaotic and forced growth, as well as the spread of malignant cells throughout the body, is observed. This process is accompanied by damage to neighboring healthy organs and tissues, the formation of distant metastatic tumor foci, which are located in all organs of the body.
Thus, the following manifestations should be attributed to the 4th stage of blood cancer:
- Tumors of a malignant type that grow extremely rapidly;
- The occurrence of bone cancer (in any form);
- Rapidly growing lesion of formations with metastases of the lungs, bones, pancreas, brain regions;
- Formations of the "extremely fatal" type, for example, pancreatic cancer.
Blood cancer in children
Leukemia also affects children. According to statistics, it is encountered between the ages of two and five, and it is mainly boys who suffer from blood cancer (more than 60% of cases in childhood).
Causes and symptoms
The main reasons why blood cancer manifests itself at such an early age are two factors:
- Exposure to radiation, as well as radiation of the mother during any of the periods of pregnancy;
- Dysfunction of a genetic nature (hereditary factor).
The manifestations of the disease in children are similar to those faced by adults:
- Painful sensations in bones and joints;
- General feeling of weakness and drowsiness;
- High fatigue;
- Marked pallor;
- Changes in the size of certain organs (liver and spleen), as well as lymph nodes.
Concomitant symptoms should be considered that the child does not want to play anything, his appetite partially or completely disappears, as a result of this, the body index decreases quite seriously.
The earliest sign of leukemia in children may be angina. Often there are minor rashes on the skin and an increased degree of bleeding.
Forms of the disease
The disease of the presented type of oncology in children is determined by two forms - acute and chronic. The characteristic of the disease can be determined not by the duration of the manifestations of a clinical nature, but by the structure of the cells of the malignant formation. The acute form of leukemia in childhood is determined by the presence of such cells in the cellular substrate that have not yet matured. The chronic form is manifested in the presence of mature formations in tumor cells.
Often, children are diagnosed with a form known as neuroleukemia. Its presence in a child's body is most often indicated by symptoms of a neurological nature (disturbance in the activity of the meninges or brain tissues), sudden dizziness, migraines. The presented category of leukemia is formed exclusively with repeated cases of the formation of the disease.
With this scenario, specialists use new combinations of drugs, because it is quite problematic to treat a child with a similar disease.
Read more: All the information you need to know about childhood cancer
Treatment of blood cancer in a child
In order to cure a child's blood cancer, the same methods are used as in the case of adults: chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. Childhood chemotherapy outcomes are often better than adults.
A similar effect is due to the fact that the child's body is much better and faster returns to normal after the implementation of the treatment course. In the case of bone marrow transplantation, donors are almost always the child's close relatives - brothers or sisters.
In the process of diagnosing blood cancer in a child, it is advisable to carry out a blood transfusion. This is due to the fact that in a sick child, the bone-type brain ceases to develop any types of cells. In the event that a transfusion is not carried out, the child may die from all sorts of simple infections and the most insignificant bleeding.
Blood Cancer Treatment
In order to cure acute leukemia, it is used:
- a combination of one to three drugs that fight tumors;
- significant doses of glucocorticoid hormones.
- In certain situations, a bone marrow transplant is likely. Supportive activities are essential. We are talking about the transfusion of certain blood components and the fastest cure of the associated infectious diseases.
- In the case of chronic leukemia, antimetabolites are used today. This is a type of medication that suppresses the increase in malignant formations. In some situations, radiation therapy is allowed, as well as the introduction of specific substances, for example, radioactive phosphorus.
The specialist chooses the method of treating leukemia exclusively depending on the form and stage at which it is currently located. Constant monitoring of the patient's condition is carried out in accordance with blood tests and examinations in the bone marrow. It will be necessary to be treated for blood cancer throughout the entire period of a person's life.
After the end of the treatment of acute leukemia, active and constant monitoring at the local clinic by a profiling specialist will be required. Such observation is extremely important, because it allows the oncologist to observe not only the likely relapse of the disease, but also the side effects of treatment. It is just as important to inform the specialist as soon as possible about the symptoms that have manifested itself.
Most often, recurrence of acute leukemia is formed during treatment or some time after its completion. However, a relapse of the disease may never occur. It is formed extremely rarely after the onset of remission, the duration of which is more than five years.
Treatment of blood cancer is quite possible, but with this disease, as with any other, it is very important to detect it as early as possible. In this case, recovery will be as fast as possible.
See also: Other treatments
The author of the article: Bykov Evgeny Pavlovich | Oncologist, surgeon
Education: graduated from residency at the Russian Scientific Oncological Center. N. N. Blokhin "and received a diploma in the specialty" Oncologist"
