Blood is a unique fluid that binds all cells, organs and systems of our body into a single whole. Circulating under the skin, it carries information about all the processes taking place inside the body. As is known from school textbooks of anatomy, this fluid carries the necessary substances to all parts of the body and removes decay products. What happens when cancer develops in it? What are the signs of blood cancer?
Simply put, the blood changes its composition and can not perform its basic functions of transportation and protection. In the bone marrow, which produces its cells, a systemic failure occurs. He loses the ability to generate normal white blood cells, they remain undeveloped, unable to fight with foreign bodies, which leads to a sharp decrease in immunity. In addition, these cancers are aggressive, multiply very quickly, and the number of normal cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) is constantly decreasing. Of course, such blood cannot contribute to the normal functioning of the body. There is a high risk of the appearance of tumors in human tissues and organs.
There are various forms of leukemia: more acute and lethargic, infecting only the elderly or more children, developing directly in the lymph or in the blood itself. It is important not to understand the intricacies of the forms of this disease, but to get acquainted with the symptoms of the disease. The sooner a person pays attention to signs of blood cancer, sounds an alarm and consults a doctor, the more likely it is to win this battle.
The first symptoms of cancer are manifested in the occurrence of extremely severe fatigue and apathy, they do not go away even after a good rest. A person may experience pain in the joints and bones, and appetite worsens. Reduced blood coagulation and bleeding, which occur without serious reasons, the appearance of bruises even from the smallest blows, and an increase in lymph nodes should also be on guard.
In the presence of individual symptoms, we cannot immediately claim that these are signs of blood cancer . But it’s still necessary to consult a doctor and take tests. The disease is diagnosed even in the early stages, since the amount of protein in the body increases and antigens are concentrated.
It should be noted that no one is safe from this ailment. Doctors have identified factors whose presence increases the risk of the disease: radiation, chemotherapy, constant interaction with certain chemicals, smoking, heredity. At the same time, not all people exposed to such factors become ill, and vice versa. The disease can overtake a completely prosperous person who has nothing to do with smoking or radiation, and so on.
Blood cancer treatment is a very real procedure, which also has many varieties. As already noted, early diagnosis plays a large role. Among the treatment methods, chemotherapy is used, as a supporting measure - blood transfusion, in critical situations - bone marrow transplantation. Scientists continue to search for ways to fight the disease and have already achieved some results.
So, blood cancer (or leukemia) is a serious disease that ultimately affects the entire body. According to statistics from American doctors, the number of patients with leukemia in recent decades compared with healthy people is considered as 25: 100,000 people. Be mindful of yourself. If you suspect signs of blood cancer, contact a specialist. Perhaps this will be a false alarm, and your little malaise will soon pass, or maybe the treatment started in time will save your life.