Awareness on Blood Cancer - Signs and Symptoms
Blood cancer is a broad term that includes different types of cancer affecting production of blood cells in the body. These are mainly characterized into three groups namely leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting blood cells and characterized by rapid production of abnormal white blood cells (in most cases) although some types of leukaemia do affect other blood cell types. Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system, which removes excess fluids from the body and produces lymphocytes or immune cells. While in case of myeloma, plasma cells (a type of white blood cells) are impaired.
The symptoms of blood cancer depend upon the type of cancer, stage of cancer and the specific blood cells or area being affected. Here are some common signs and symptoms observed in case of blood cancer –
Fever, headache and flu-like symptoms
Poor appetite and stamina resulting in weight loss
Breathlessness, weakness and fatigue
Pain in joints or bone pain
Excessive sweating and vomiting
Swollen lymph nodes (groin, neck and armpits)
Enlarged liver and spleen
Repeated infections and easily bruised skin
Dizziness and seizures (fits)
Bleeding gums (nose bleeds in some cases)
In most cases, blood cancers usually do not show any symptoms at the initial stage but as the cancer progresses the symptoms get severe quickly. Most of the symptoms are non-specific and indefinite. Hence, it is recommended that if a person notices any of the above symptoms he should consult a doctor, as the cancer can be diagnosed with a routine blood test. more
The symptoms of blood cancer depend upon the type of cancer, stage of cancer and the specific blood cells or area being affected. Here are some common signs and symptoms observed in case of blood cancer –
Fever, headache and flu-like symptoms
Poor appetite and stamina resulting in weight loss
Breathlessness, weakness and fatigue
Pain in joints or bone pain
Excessive sweating and vomiting
Swollen lymph nodes (groin, neck and armpits)
Enlarged liver and spleen
Repeated infections and easily bruised skin
Dizziness and seizures (fits)
Bleeding gums (nose bleeds in some cases)
In most cases, blood cancers usually do not show any symptoms at the initial stage but as the cancer progresses the symptoms get severe quickly. Most of the symptoms are non-specific and indefinite. Hence, it is recommended that if a person notices any of the above symptoms he should consult a doctor, as the cancer can be diagnosed with a routine blood test. more
Viewed by 68
