Hematology treatment is typically recommended for those dealing with blood cancers. Also known as hematologic cancers, blood cancers begin where blood is produced: the bone marrow. A person has blood cancer when abnormal blood cells begin to interfere with the function of healthy blood cells, like the creation of new healthy cells and fighting off infections.
There are three main types of blood cancers: myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. Leukemia is a form of cancer that leads to the production of abnormal white blood cells. The condition also hinders the bone marrow's ability to create healthy blood cells and platelets.
Lymphoma is typically broken down into two categories. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system and interferes with white blood cells' function. Hodgkin's lymphoma also develops in the lymphatic system, but it is characterized by abnormal lymphocyte cells.
Myeloma is a blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the blood. It also weakens the immune system since it affects the production of healthy blood cells.
Blood cancers are serious medical conditions that are typically easier to treat when detected early on. Some of the signs and symptoms of blood cancers include:
Diagnosing patients with blood cancer typically starts with the hematologist going over the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. The oncologist pays extra attention to the patient's lymph nodes and body, looking for signs of bruising or infection.
Various tests might be ordered up to help with the diagnosis. A biopsy might also be performed to test samples for different cancers. For example, a lymph node biopsy is used to diagnose lymphoma. A bone marrow aspirator can be used to collect samples from bone, blood, or bone marrow. The sample can then be sent to a lab to check for changes in genetic material or abnormal cells.
Imaging scans can also help with the diagnosis of blood cancers. They can be used to detect an enlarged lymph node, a symptom of lymphoma. However, not all blood cancers cause tumors. For example, people with leukemia typically do not have any visible tumors.
Some of the imaging tests that help diagnose blood cancers include X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans. Blood tests can be used to evaluate the different components that make up blood like platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. A blood chemistry test measures the levels of critical components in a patient's blood. Abnormal levels of some proteins might be a sign of cancer.
Factors like a patient's age, how fast the disease progresses, and the type of cancer dictate how an oncologist recommends treating it. Some of the hematology treatments a hematologist might recommend for patients with blood cancers include:
Let us go over the answers to some of the questions you might have about getting treatment for hematologic cancers:
Yes, the goal of leukemia treatments is to destroy abnormal cells so normal ones can restore their function and form. The American Cancer Society considers patients who have been free of leukemia for at least five years cured.
Depending on the type of hematologic cancer a patient has, their doctor might recommend an 'observe and wait' approach. For example, people with the early stages of blood cancers like chronic lymphocytic leukemia might not need treatments for years as long as there are no severe effects on the body. However, patients still need to be closely monitored by their hematologist to determine when hematology treatment is needed.
Our oncologist has years of experience helping to restore the health of people with blood cancer. Give us a call or stop by our Marlton clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office.
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