With an annual 1.24 million cases worldwide, blood cancer accounts for approximately 6% of all cancer cases. Blood cancers, or hematologic cancers, which typically begin in the bone marrow, lead to 720,000 annual deaths.
Understanding Blood Cancer
Blood cancer is a term used to define the uncontrolled growth of abnormal blood cells. Leukaemia and myeloma, which originate in the bone marrow, and lymphoma, which starts in the lymphatic system, are the most common types of blood cancer.
The uncontrolled growth of blood cells can be attributed to the sudden genetic change often referred to as mutation; however, the exact reason behind this is yet to be determined.
Whenever we discuss a disease as fatal as cancer, it’s essential not to overlook the signs indicating blood cancer, which are listed below.
- Unspecified weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Sudden appearance of bruising
- Unexplained bleeding
- Lumps or swellings at random body parts
- Breathlessness
- Recurrent blood Infections
- Pain in the abdominal area
- Paleness (pallor)
Early detection of the aforementioned symptoms and timely diagnosis can substantially increase the chances of successful blood cancer management.
Blood Cancer Treatment
With time, the treatment of blood cancers has undergone substantial advancements.
Beginning with radiation therapy, we have now moved to more precise CAR T-cell therapy. Let’s briefly discuss the treatment options available for blood cancer.
Chemotherapy & Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to target cancer cells, after which they kill or inhibit their growth.
- The drugs used could be any alkylating agents, topoisomerase inhibitors, mitotic inhibitors and the mode of administration could be oral, IV or intrathecal which may vary based on the treatment type.
- Most commonly employed for leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy or stem cell transplants.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances (such as monoclonal antibodies) to target specific proteins involved in the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells.
By focusing on the molecular mechanisms of cancer cells, targeted therapy offers a more personalised approach to treatment, increasing the chances of success while minimising harm to healthy cells.
Stem Cell Transplant
In case of blood cancer, when other therapeutic approaches like high-radiation chemotherapy have not been effective, the patient’s bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells. The new blood cells it generates is healthy and devoid of any mutational change and the procedure is known as stem cell transplant.
Based on the type of donor, stem cell transplant can be categorised into:
Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
In this procedure, the patient’s own stem cells are collected before performing chemotherapy and stored. Then the patient is treated with high-radiation chemotherapy. After treatment, the stored stem cells are infused back into the patient’s body. This newly-incorporated stem cell now generates healthy blood cells.
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant
In Allogeneic BMT, the source of stem cells is from another healthy person (donor). Most of the time, parents, children, and other relatives are found to be good matches, who could be:
- Related donor
In this, the stem cell donor is genetically related to the patient. This could be the patients’ sibling as the chances of being a half human leukocyte antigens (HLA) match is more than 50%. Sometimes, parents and children can also be donors, but the chances of being a complete match would be extremely low.
- MUD (Matched Unrelated Donor)
MUD refers to a donor who is not blood-related to the recipient but shares a close genetic match with the patient, specifically in terms of HLA. These antigens are basically surface proteins found on the immune cells that help the immune system identify and recognise foreign substances.
The cost of blood cancer treatment in India and other countries like Turkey, Germany and Thailand is affected by the extent of cancer spread, the expertise of doctors and the technology involved,
The combination of medical advancements and expertise of doctors leads to faster, more accurate diagnoses, resulting in higher remission rates and improved survival for cancer patients.
Recovery After Blood Cancer and Lifestyle Changes
At every stage of cancer, from how it begins to how well you recover, lifestyle choices significantly affect the cancer treatment. Many studies have shown that exercise and eating healthy have helped people live longer and have a better chance of beating cancer.
However, there are some other ways to ensure proper recovery after the blood cancer treatment.
Diet Management
After cancer treatment, your body needs proper energy to heal, regain strength and maintain health. So, once the cancer treatment is over, oncologists recommend nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support the immune system and promote faster recovery.
Also, evidence has suggested that in people consuming alcohol and cigarettes, the chances of cancer recurrence also increased. Hence, alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided as much as possible.
Regular Exercise and Proper Sleep
We know that physical activity helps rebuild muscle strength, improve energy levels, and combat fatigue. It also helps to combat fatigue and sleeplessness, which are some common side effects after blood cancer treatment.
However, it should be noted that every patient’s ability to exercise will vary, so it’s crucial to start with mild exercises such as mild walking and stretching.
Stress Management
The emotional toll of cancer doesn’t disappear suddenly after the treatment ends. Fear of cancer recurrence, anxiety, and depression may surface at any time during the recovery period.
In some patients, stress management techniques like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises become necessary. Additionally, patients should not hesitate to seek emotional support from their loved ones to deal with their emotional fears regarding their health.
Regular Follow-ups
After the blood cancer treatment, regular follow-up appointments become necessary. It helps in recognising any signs of cancer recurrence and allows your oncologists to detect any potential side effects or complications.
Each of these areas should be considered together to ensure that the patient is recovering well after the blood cancer treatment and their quality of life is improved.
Conclusion
Blood cancer has presented significant challenges in the field of medical sciences. However, advancements in treatment approaches offer hope for faster recovery with fewer chances of recurrence. During the journey of blood cancer recovery, post-treatment strategies become crucial. Thus, by embracing innovative therapies and making some lifestyle changes, survivors can reclaim their health and well-being.
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