Types of Blood Cancer in Adults

Blood cancer affects blood cells. Some of the most common types of cancers of blood include leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The primary cause of blood cancer is changes (mutations) in the DNA within blood cells. These mutations lead to abnormal behavior of blood cells. Most of the time mutations resulting in blood cancers are led by things and circumstances which humans have no control over. The changes happen during a person’s lifetime.
Most blood cancers are medically referred to as hematologic cancers. These originate in the bone marrow. The uncontrollable growth of abnormal blood cells within the body interrupts the function of healthy blood cells such as fighting off infection and producing new blood cells.

How Blood Cancer Affects Body?

Blood cancers tend to affect blood cells and bone marrow (the spongy tissue present in bones). This is also the place where blood cells are made. All types of blood cancers alter the behavior of blood cells and the way they function.

Blood Cells are Categorized in the Following Types:

White Blood Cells

These cells are responsible for fighting infection as part of immune system.

Red blood cells

These blood cells carry oxygen to tissues of body and organs and transport carbon dioxide to lungs helping one to breathe out.

Platelets

These help with clotting of blood clot during an injury.

Symptoms of Blood Cancer among Adults

Here are some of the most common symptoms of blood cancer:

Fever, chills

Abdominal discomfort

Loss of appetite

Nausea

Persistent fatigue, weakness

Itchy skin

Skin rash

Unexplained weight loss

Night sweats

Bone pain

Joint pain

Shortness of breath

Frequent infections

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Swollen lymph nodes in underarms or groin

Types of Blood Cancer

Leukemia

It is a type of blood cancer that originates in the blood and bone marrow. Leukamia results from production of abnormal white blood cells by the body which starts affecting and interfering with the bone marrow’s ability to make red blood cells and platelets.

Symptoms of Leukemia

The symptoms may vary depending on the type of leukemia. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:

Fever or chills

Frequent or severe infections

Persistent fatigue, weakness

Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen

Losing weight without trying

Easy bleeding or bruising

Recurrent nosebleeds

Bone pain or tenderness

Excessive sweating, especially at night

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

This is a blood cancer that originates from cells known as lymphocytes in the lymphatic system. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell supports body fight infections.

Symptoms

Unexplained weight loss

Persistent fatigue

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin

Night sweats

Abdominal pain

Fever

Swelling in the abdomen

Chest pain

Coughing or trouble breathing

Hodgkin Lymphoma

This blood cancer starts in the lymphatic system and stems from cells known as lymphocytes. Presence of Reed-Sternberg cell, an abnormal lymphocyte confirms patient suffering from Hodgkin lymphoma.

Symptoms

Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin

Pain in lymph nodes after consuming alcohol

Night sweats

Persistent fatigue

Severe itching

Fever

Losing weight without trying

Multiple Myeloma

This blood cancer originates in the plasma cells of blood. These are white blood cell made in the bone marrow.

Symptoms

Bone pain, especially in the spine or chest region

Excessive thirst

Nausea

Constipation

Loss of appetite

Mental fogginess or confusion

Fatigue

Frequent infections

Weight loss

Weakness or numbness in your legs

Some of the less common forms of blood and bone marrow cancers include the following listed below:

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

This is a rare condition resulting from damage to blood- forming cells bound in the bone marrow.

Symptoms

Fatigue

Shortness of breath

Unusual paleness due to a low red blood cell count (anemia)

Easy or unusual bruising or bleeding resulting from a low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

Pinpoint-sized red spots under the skin caused due to bleeding

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)

This is also a rare blood cancer caused by overproduction of white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets. The main subcategories of this cancer include:

Thrombocythemia (ET)

Myelofibrosis (MF)

Polycythemia vera (PV)

Headaches

Raised blood pressure (hypertension)

Blurred vision

Night sweats

Fatigue

Itchiness (pruritus)

Weakness

Dizziness

Amyloidosis

This is a rare disorder caused by the buildup of amyloid (an abnormal protein). This cancer is closely associated with multiple myeloma.

Symptoms among Adults

Swelling of ankles and legs

Trouble swallowing

Numbness, tingling or pain in hands or feet

Pain in wrist

An enlarged tongue (rippled around its edge)

Unable to lie flat in bed

Severe fatigue and weakness

Shortness of breath with minimal exertion

Irregular heartbeat

Diarrhea, possibly with blood

Constipation

Unintentional weight loss (over 4.5 kilograms)

Changes in skin changes (thickening or easy bruising)

Purplish patches around the eyes

Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

This cancer is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma disease. It originates in B cells.

Symptoms among Adults

Easy bruising

Shortness of breath

Confusion

Bleeding from the nose or the gums

Changes in vision

Weight loss

Headache

Numbness in your hands or feet

Fever

Fatigue

Aplastic Anemia

This is a rare cancer occurring due to damage of key stem cells. The only treatment for this cancer is a bone marrow transplant.

Symptoms

Fatigue

Rapid or irregular heart rate

Frequent or prolonged infections

Unexplained or easy bruising

Shortness of breath

Nosebleeds

Bleeding gums

Pale skin

bleeding from cuts

Skin rash

Dizziness

Headache

Fever

You can take following medicines to get relief from Blood Cancer: Imatikst 100mg, Veenat 100mg, Dasakast 70mg.