Expert explains what is blood cancer and how to identify its early signs

To understand what blood cancer is and how it affects the body it is crucial to know the three types of blood cells says Dr Chandrakant Lahane clinical haematologist Sahyadri Hospital Pune1 White blood cells WBCs They help the body to fight infections2 Red blood cells RBCs They carry oxygen to all parts of the body3 Platelets They help blood clot in case of injuryAll these blood cells are made in the bone marrow Lahane explains In case of blood cancer the bone marrow produces abnormal levels of WBCs crowding the bone marrow thus preventing the production of healthy cells RBCs WBCs and platelets In a shocking fact shared by the expert every 27 seconds someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancerTypes of Blood CancerBlood cancer is a complex family of five diseases each with its subtypes The three main types of blood cancer are leukemia lymphoma and myeloma but there are many subtypes and some rarer forms Leukaemia is the cancer of WBCs Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that affects the bodyrsquos ability to produce antibodies which in turn affects the immune systemSymptoms of blood cancerBlood cancer may not cause any symptoms at all or they may be mild General symptoms may includeRepeated infectionsDue to the low number of healthy WBCs and high number of abnormal WBCs the patients are more prone to infections and may frequently get sick and remain ill for longer than usualPersistent exhaustionThe patients commonly experience unusual exhaustion dizziness weakness and persistent fatigue all the time It is advisable to consult a medical professional at the earliestSwollen lymph nodes enlarged liver or spleenThere are many causes of swollen lymph nodes Many often ignore swollen lymph nodes in places such as the underarms groin neck region etc since they are painless but they can be an early sign of Lymphoma The patient needs to consult doctors to rule out the commonest causes such as infections Conditions such as an enlarged spleen or liver can also be a symptom Thus causes need to be ascertained after consultation with a doctorSudden and unusual bruising and bleedingSome people are usually more prone to bruises due to their thin skin old age or injuries But if one experiences unexplained new bruises and red spots with no history or relation to previous injuries then this can be an early sign of blood disorder or blood cancer Also one may experience bleeding from the nose or gums since the platelet levels are low These conditions can also be early symptoms of blood cancer and may need immediate medical consultationPersistent and unexplained weight lossWhile normal weight loss clubbed with physical exercise and dieting is normal unexplained weight loss can be a cause of concern Although such unusual weight loss can have multiple factors any underlying disease like blood cancer can be a possibility and needs immediate medical attention In addition to the five symptoms above one should also keep watch on chills night sweats achy or painful jointsbones itchy skin loss of appetite nausea headaches shortness of breath difficulty in urination severe abdominal pain mouth sores small red spots on the skin petechiae coughing vomiting seizures One should not ignore any of the above symptoms and get immediate medical help if any of the above symptoms persistRegular health checkups in consultation with doctors can help detect blood abnormalities early The best way we can manage blood cancer is by understanding the early signs and beginning timely managementAlso Read Monsoon healthcare Expert shares nutrition tips to keep cold and flu at bay