Blood cancer is the collective name of several types of malignant blood tumors. It occurs when only one bone marrow cell is violated as a result of its active reproduction and replacement of normal blood cells. Most susceptible to this disease are young (immature) blood cells, which cause the most aggressive form of cancer - acute.
Leukemia is a malignant tumor that affects the cells of the bone marrow. Chronic blood cancer is an oncological lesion of already matured blood cells. Hematosarcomas affect the tissues of the hemopoiesis, located outside the bone marrow, in the lymphatic system. The most common diagnoses are leukemia and lymphosarcoma.
The first symptoms of blood cancer
The initial stages of blood cancer rarely have brightly expressed symptoms. As a rule, the first signs of cancer of the blood are weakly expressed and can be considered manifestations of simple fatigue or lack of vitamins. It:
- constant fatigue and weakness due to reduced supply of oxygen to the body due to a decrease in the number of red blood cells;
- frequent illnesses or unjustified temperature rises to 38 degrees due to a decrease in leukocytes, cells responsible for protection from infections;
- violation of taste and olfactory perception of food and, as a consequence, weight loss;
- shortness of breath - as a result of disturbed oxygen exchange;
- pain in the long bones of the skeleton, caused by the growth of the bone marrow;
- severe and frequent headaches, dizziness as a result of impaired blood supply to the brain;
- painless enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- night sweats;
- passivity or, conversely, a strong temper;
- change of skin, yellowish tint or excessive pallor, increased dryness;
- Drowsiness, not passing even after a long rest.
Secondary signs of blood cancer
One of the most common symptoms of blood cancer is the appearance on the skin of bruises, bruises and bruises, not associated with injuries. This is due to the increased fragility of capillaries and the violation of blood clotting as a result of a decrease in the number of platelets. The same factor can cause sudden bleeding (from the nose, gums, etc.).
Over time, these symptoms of blood cancer are supplemented by signs of an increase in the spleen and liver - the appearance of pain and heaviness under the ribs or in the abdominal region, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
All these symptoms of blood cancer can occur in both women and men. It should be noted that this malignant formation is 1.6 times more likely to affect the representatives of the stronger sex.
Diagnosis of blood cancer
In the presence of these symptoms, in the analysis of blood taken with a suspicion of cancer, you can see a change in such indicators as:
- decrease in the number of blood cells (platelets, leukocytes, erythrocytes);
- appearance of nonspecific cells;
- change in the level of ESR .
But the most reliable information can be obtained with the help of bone marrow puncture.
Cancer Treatment
The main method of treatment of blood cancer is