Blood Cancer

Cancer can affect any part of the body. But some parts of the body are so sensitive that the cancer of this part becomes very harmful and if untreated may result in death within months. This can be understood by taking the example of the cancer affecting the circulatory system of the body. Blood cells are the fundamental unit of circulatory system. So if cancer affects these cells it causes the whole body to become malfunctioned because blood cells circulate throughout the body.

Types of Blood Cancer

In blood cancer the cancer is rooted in the cells that are responsible for the production of blood cells, but, the cancerous cells runs in the veins, throughout the body, along with blood. Therefore it is considered as one of the most harmful type of cancer. This type of cancer is actually caused when the retro virus; a virus that is responsible for cancer, attacks blood, bone marrow or lymphatic system. Therefore, there are three types of blood cancer.

1.Leukemia

It is one of the most common types of cancer that is responsible for effecting white blood cells. This type of cancer has its roots in the bone marrow. Leukocytes are the biological name of white blood cells, so leukemia is the cancer of white blood cell. In leukemia the bone marrow starts excessive production of white blood cells. This effects the normal balance of white blood cells in the blood may result in coagulation.

• Risk factor

Leukemia, if untreated, may results in death even within weeks or months. Though it is considered as most malignant cancer, but, treatment may increase the life span. Although the reasons and causes are unknown but the viruses that are responsible for leukemia are Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human T-Lymphotropic Virus.

• Treatment

At initial stage, it is treated with drugs and chemotherapies. Radiations are also use for treatment. In most cases, if possible, bone marrow transplant is done.

2. Lymphoma

It is another type of cancer affecting circulatory system. It is rooted in the lymphatic system, mostly in the lymph nodes.

• Symptoms & Treatment

The signs and symptoms of lymphoma are the perpetual fever, tiredness, sudden weight loss, swelling in the lymph nodes. In lymphoma liver is also affected, results in the swelling of liver and hepatic veins. Lymphoma is treated with chemotherapy aided with many drugs. Patients suffered with lymphoma are exposed to radiations for treatment.

3. Multiple myeloma

Blood cells runs through the veins wilt aid of a serum known as plasma. Plasma carries to blood cells to the various organs of the body. Plasma is also produced by the bone marrow cells. When the plasma becomes affected by cancerous cells, the condition is known as multiple myeloma.

• Symptoms  & Treatment

 The preliminary symptoms of multiple myeloma are similar to other types of blood cancer. Fever, pain, weight loss is commonly observed. Bone pain and kidney failure are the major signs that helps in the detection of multiple myeloma. Chemotherapies and exposure to radiations are used for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Conclusion

Cancer that affects the circulatory system of the human body is basically of three types. Each of three is categorized according to the root cell and the cells that have been affected by cancer.