Below, you’ll find must-know information about blood cancer.
Blood cancer is a disease that affects the blood and bone marrow. It occurs when the DNA of the blood cells is damaged, causing them to become abnormal. This means they cannot do their job. They may also prevent healthy blood cells from working.
Blood cells help protect your body from infection and help you fight other diseases. When blood cells become cancerous, they eat away at the bone marrow, preventing it from functioning properly. They also prevent your blood from helping to repair your body.
Blood cancer is a serious illness. It can affect women and men alike. The risk factors that may contribute to blood cancer are not well understood. However, they can be related to exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, and age.
There are several types of blood cancer. The most common type is leukemia. Leukemia affects the white blood cells, which are a type of lymphocyte. These cells multiply at an abnormal rate and cause swollen lymph nodes.
Leukemia can also affect the bone marrow. Cancer can lead to bone pain and tender spots. It can also cause infections that make patients more susceptible to infection.
Another form of blood cancer is myeloma. Myeloma affects the immune system, causing pain and bone pain.
Blood cancer symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. However, there are some symptoms that are unique to blood cancer.
Knowing the various blood cancer symptoms can help manage the disease. Below are the various blood cancer symptoms worth knowing about.
9. Swollen Lymph Nodes
Swollen lymph nodes may be caused by an infection or a disease that affects your immune system. It can be a cause of alarm if the swollen lymph nodes are in the neck and armpit areas, accompanied by fever or other symptoms. If that is so, it’s best to see a doctor right away.
Lymph nodes are kidney-bean-shaped masses of fluid and tissue that help filter out harmful or damaged cells in your body. They are a collection point for white blood cells, which help protect your body from bacteria, viruses, and other harmful organisms. If the lymph nodes are swollen, the body is attempting to fight off an infection.
8. Aches And Pains In The Bones
Aches and pains in the bones are common symptoms of blood cancer. They are caused by an overgrowth of cancer cells in the bone marrow. These cells cause the bones to thin and break easily.
They also exert pressure on the nerves within the bone tissue, making them painful. The cancer cells also stop the healing process of the bone.
7. Night Sweats
Night sweats are also common symptoms of blood cancer. Night sweats occur because the immune system is already weak and there’s an infection. Night sweats are a sign that the body is not properly fighting an infection.
Certain medications, alcohol, and spicy foods can also cause night sweats. Night sweats associated with cancer are usually persistent and accompanied by a fever and weight loss.
6. Fever Or Chills
Fever in cancer patients can also be caused by venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is an infection that results from a blood clot that blocks a vein. Other causes of fever in cancer patients include infection, drug reactions, and exposure to certain microbes.
Cancer patients can also develop a fever after surgery. A cancer patient’s immune system may be compromised by chemotherapy and radiation. This can increase the risk of wound infections and fungal infections.
5. Weakness And Fatigue
Weakness and fatigue are also symptoms of blood cancer. These symptoms vary from person to person and can be exacerbated by stress and other factors.
Cancer-related fatigue can affect the patient’s daily life and sense of well-being. It may start before the onset of the disease and continue for months after treatment has ended. Certain medicines can also cause fatigue. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause short-term fatigue.
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