Possible Treatments for Blood Cancer : Low Cost Cancer Treatment in India

Leukeamia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Normally all blood cells are produced by the bone marrow (the spongy area in the middle of bones) in a controlled fashion. All leukaemias have in common property that the leukaemia cells are abnormal and do not respond to normal control mechanisms. Large numbers of leukaemia cells build up as they multiply or because they live much longer than normal cells, or both. With many leukaemia cells in the bone marrow, they spill out into the bloodstream.

Types of  Blood Cancer

Common types of blood cancer include:

• §     Leukemia: Cancer that originates in blood-forming tissue.
• 
  
• §     Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells 
• 
  
• §    Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells called lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma is marked by the presence of an abnormal lymphocyte called the Reed-Sternberg cell (or B lymphocyte).
• 
  
•      Multiple myeloma: Cancer that begins in the blood's plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow.

Blood cancer symptoms

Some common blood cancer symptoms include:

• §   Fever, chills
• §   Persistent fatigue, weakness
• §   Loss of appetite, nausea
• §   Unexplained weight loss
• §   Night sweats
• §   Bone/joint pain
• §   Abdominal discomfort
• §   Headaches
• §   Shortness of breath
• §   Frequent infections
• §   Itchy skin or skin rash
• §   Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, groin

Best Treatments for Blood Cancer  in India

Biological Therapy

Biological therapy assists the body as it fights off the cancer on its own.  It helps to strengthen the body’s natural cancer-fighting processes.  Biological therapy may cause some side effects, but other medications can be used to treat these.  Side effects often vary from person to person.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses chemicals to fight the cancer.  It can be taken by mouth or injected into a vein.  Sometimes it is injected into the spinal fluid.  The drugs used in chemotherapy kill the cancer cells but can also damage regular, healthy cells.  The damage to the healthy cells is what causes so many side effects.  Side effects from chemotherapy may include:

• Low levels of blood cells—this can make you feel tired, or you may get sick more often.
• Hair loss
• Upset stomach which may cause vomiting or diarrhea
• Sores in the mouth and/or on the lips
• Infertility

Induction Therapy

Induction therapy is a combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and steroids.

Radiation Therapy

In radiation therapy, a beam of high-energy rays is directed towards the cancer, or over the entire body.  The rays kill the cancer cells.  Side effects vary depending on how much radiation is received and what part of the body it is directed towards.  Most side effects are temporary and can be managed with medication.

Stem Cell Transplantation

Because chemotherapy and radiation therapy can end up killing off healthy blood cells, patients may receive a stem cell transplant.  A stem cell transplant allows the patient's body to develop new, healthy blood cells.  The transplanted stem cells may come from the patient or someone who donates them to the patient.  Patients who receive a stem cell transplant often must stay in the hospital for a long period of time because they may get sick easily.  They must also be monitored to make sure their body will not fight against the new stem cells.

Targeted Therapy

During targeted therapy, drugs are used to stop the cancer from growing or spreading to other parts of the body.  It does this by focusing on certain parts of the cancer cells that help it grow and copy itself.  Targeted therapy does cause some side effects such as rash, swelling, muscle cramps, bloating, weight gain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.