Early Symptoms of Blood Cancer: Key Signs to Know

Blood cancer affects the body’s blood cell production. Usually originating from the bone marrow, blood cancer impairs the bone marrow’s ability to produce healthy and normal Red Blood Cells (RBCs), platelets and White Blood Cells (WBCs). There are three kinds of blood cancers: leukaemia, lymphoma, and Myeloma.

 

This blog discusses the symptoms of blood cancer that can help individuals identify this health condition and treat it effectively before it advances to a life-threatening stage.

Early Symptoms of Blood Cancer

Here are the symptoms of blood cancer:

 

• Tiredness and fatigue: Individuals can feel tired or have difficulty managing their daily tasks without needing to rest. Individuals might also feel weak.

 

• Fever: A persistent fever can be a sign that the body is fighting an infection or responding to dangerous abnormal cancer cells.

 

• Extreme night sweats: This refers to sweating when one is sleeping. It causes one to drench their clothes and bedding, while also disturbing their sleep.

 

• Unusual bleeding or bruising: Unexplained bumps, bruises, bleeding or injuries can be a sign of blood cancer. Unusual bleeding and bruises that don’t heal even after two weeks should be examined by a doctor.

 

• Sudden weight loss: Unexplained weight loss of 4-5 kgs over a period of 6-12 months can be a sign of blood cancer.

 

• Frequent infections: Too many infections, one after the other, can be a sign that something is affecting the immune system’s smooth functioning.

 

• Swollen lymph nodes or enlarged liver or spleen: These can be a symptom of leukaemia and lymphoma.

 

• Bone pain: Individuals with myeloma and leukaemia can suffer from tender spots or bone pain.

 

Since the above-mentioned symptoms are also common in other less serious illnesses, individuals must consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Blood Cancer

The diagnosis of blood cancer involves the study of the above-mentioned symptoms and analysis of the patient’s medical history. Physical examination, imaging tests and blood tests are also used for diagnosis. Some common blood cancer tests include:

 

• Blood Chemistry Test: This test measures chemicals and other substances in the patient’s blood.

 

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test measures the blood cells. For instance, high or low WBC count and lower than normal RBC and platelet count can be an early sign of leukaemia.

 

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: This scan creates a 3D image of bones and soft tissues through a series of X-rays.

 

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan: This helps identify leukaemia signs and symptoms that could be affecting the spine.

 

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: This test creates images of the tissues and organs and helps identify signs of myeloma.

 

• Bone Marrow Biopsies: Doctors might take a bone marrow sample to examine the percentage of abnormal and normal blood cells. The sample can also be tested to identify any DNA changes that could instigate cancer growth.

 

• Blood Cell Examination: This involves healthcare professionals studying a sample of the patient’s blood under a microscope to examine the changes in blood cell appearance. For instance, a peripheral smear test helps spot symptoms of leukaemia cancer or lymphoma.

Treatment of Blood Cancer

Healthcare professionals consider the patient’s age, overall health, kind of blood cancer and treatment side effects before selecting the following treatments:

 

• Radiation Therapy: This involves using radiation to treat blood cancer by targeting abnormal cells and their DNA to prevent them from multiplying.

 

• Chemotherapy: One of the most common treatments for cancer, this treatment eliminates cancer cells to slow down and kill the cancer.

 

• Targeted Therapy for Cancer: This targets the genetic mutations that transform healthy cells into abnormal cells.

 

• Immunotherapy: This treatment helps make more immune cells to fight the cancer cells.

 

• Autologous Stem Cell Transplant: This treatment involves collecting and storing bone marrow stem cells before chemotherapy to replace the protected stem cells later and avoid chemotherapy side effects.

 

• CAR T-cell Therapy: This treatment involves using T-cell lymphocytes (type of WBC) to treat cancer.

 

• Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant: This treatment involves replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy bone marrow through bone marrow donation.

 

Blood cancer is a serious health condition that requires timely medical intervention. Individuals who suffer from the symptoms mentioned above must consult a medical professional and book a blood cancer test- Leukemia / Lymphoma Diagnostic Panel test at Dr Lal PathLabs.

FAQs

1. What are the symptoms of blood cancer?

The symptoms of blood cancer are fatigue, frequent fever, night sweats, unusual bruising or bleeding, sudden weight loss, frequent infections, enlarged liver or spleen, swollen lymph nodes and bone pain.

 

2. Can blood cancer be cured?

Yes, blood cancer can be cured in certain cases. It’s best if blood cancer is identified early and treated effectively to ensure a good quality of life.

 

3. How is blood cancer treated?

Blood cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy for cancer, autologous stem cell transplant, CAR t-cell therapy and allogeneic stem cell transplant.