Blood cancer is one of the more common forms of this deadly disease. It is also one of the hardest to detect. It is not easy to detect it in its earlier stage. There are many types of blood cancer, i.e., leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, MPN, MDS, and others. The type of blood cancer depends upon the origin and the part of your body affected by it. However, all blood cancers fall under the same category.
Scroll down to know the blood cancer symptoms and when you should consult with your doctor!
What is blood cancer?
When the production and function of blood cells, the lymphatic system, or bone marrow get affected, it causes blood cancer. It occurs due to the growth of abnormal blood cells in the body. Some common types of blood cancer are myeloma, MPNs, lymphoma, MDS, and leukemia.
The main cause of blood cancer is changes in the DNA in the blood cells. As a result, blood cells behave abnormally, and your body starts to show symptoms that are not expected or out of your control. Sometimes, these symptoms become life-threatening. In some cases, these symptoms can be genetic or affect children. However, there is a difference between the symptoms and treatment plans of blood cancer in adults and children.
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What are some common symptoms of blood cancer and their causes?
In simple words, blood cancer is the imbalance of blood cells in your body. Some may have too many or too low blood cells of a particular type. Also, some of the blood cells may not function optimally. However, these symptoms are different from person to person.
Some symptoms of blood cancer for which you to consult a doctor are given below:
1. Breathlessness, tiredness, and paleness:
These symptoms of having a low level of RBCs are caused by anemia. In this state,
- You may feel tired even after taking enough rest or sleep.
- You may feel breathlessness even in your resting state.
- It is also possible that the inside part of your lower eyelid becomes white or pale pink rather than red or dark pink.
- You may often get headaches and feel faint.
2. Having rashes, bleeding, or bruising for no reason:
Suffering from blood loss or bruises after any injury is normal. But if you are facing these issues without any reason, you must consult a doctor immediately. These symptoms generally happen in those who have a low level of platelets.
The main role of platelets in the body is to make the blood clot. In the absence of platelets, your blood will have very limited clotting ability. Hence, you may lose a high amount of blood on getting injured.
Some results you can expect with these symptoms are given below:
- Small red spots under the skin.
- Large purple-colored patches may appear.
- Bleeding from gums or nose.
- Heavy periods.
- Prolonged bleeding from any cut or injury.
- Blood in your stool or urine.
- Sometimes bleeding into the brain may happen and cause neurological symptoms.
3. Often suffering from fever or infections:
Suffering from fever on the change of weather is normal. However, if you are suffering from high fever frequently without an apparent reason, it is abnormal and needs a doctor’s consultation. It may be because of blood cancer.
A low level of WBCs in your blood affects their fighting ability from disease. Hence, you may have severe infections or high fever persistently. You may also feel chills, coughing, shivering, or sore throat problems.
4. Having swellings and lumps in the body:
Having abnormal growth of WBC in your lymph glands is the cause of these symptoms. Generally, the armpit, neck, or groin areas of your body suffer from these symptoms. Some people may experience pain in these areas. However, normally they are painless.
Although lumps or swelling happen inside your body, you may feel breathlessness or discomfort when the lumps press against the organs.
5. Pain in bones and joints:
If you have myeloma, you will frequently feel pain in your bones, such as ribs, back, hip, etc., and joints. It happens because of damage to your bones.
6. Drenching in sweats during the night time or while in sleep:
People who have lymphoma-type blood cancer may suffer from heavy sweating during sleep. The cause of this symptom is not very clear.
7. Having itching in the skin:
Some people may find their skin quite itchy when suffering from blood cancer. However, the cause of this symptom is not clear yet.
8. Loss in weight without any reason:
The reaction between your body and the cancer cells affects your metabolism. You lose muscle and fat abruptly, leading to unexpected weight loss.
9. Problems in your abdominal area:
These symptoms are because of the abnormal growth of blood cells. In such a case, you may feel full after a small meal. Some other symptoms you may feel are:
- Having abdominal swelling or bloating.
- Often feel pain in your body.
- You may feel discomfort to the left side of your ribs.
What are the symptoms of acute blood cancer?
If there is a change in the DNA when your bone marrow cells develop, it will cause some effects on your body. It happens when your blood has a very high level of WBCs.
As a result, you may suddenly feel very unwell, have breathing issues, or have neurological symptoms such as confusion, visual changes, loss of muscle control, vomiting, or seizures.
In a Nutshell
The cancer specialists at reputed hospitals advise you not to take any symptoms mentioned earlier lightly. Your negligence at the initial stage of blood cancer can bring you to a life-threatening point. Therefore, if you find any of the above symptoms of blood cancer in your body, visit the best cancer specialist for a consultation!
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