The news that acclaimed actor Kirron Kher (also a BJP MP) has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma – a type of blood cancer – came as a shock to the nation’s people. That Ms Kher is undergoing treatment and is in fine hands was tweeted by her husband and actor Anupam Kher, who also conveyed the same on the behalf of son Siddharth Kher.
BJP MP Kirron Kher (in file photo) diagnosed with multiple myeloma – a type of blood cancer and is undergoing treatment, tweets her husband and actor Anupam Kher. pic.twitter.com/dqppXgeFbK
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2021
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) April 1, 2021
United diagnosticss
Despite great strides in research, treatments, and medicines, the word cancer still strikes fear in the human heart. But it is always good to arm oneself with knowledge about this king of maladies, and not be cowed down with fear. Because treatments for blood cancer have vastly improved over the last several decades, many types of blood cancers are now highly treatable, says the YaleMedicine.org website.
What is Blood Cancer?
Blood cancer is a type of malignancy that affects the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. Most blood cancers, also called hematologic cancers, start in the bone marrow.
And what is Bone Marrow? Bone marrow is a spongy substance found in the centre of the bones. It manufactures bone marrow stem cells and other substances, which in turn produce blood cells. Each type of blood cell made by the bone marrow has an important job:
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Red blood cells (RBCs) carry oxygen to tissues in the body
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Platelets stop bleeding by helping blood clot.
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White blood cells (WBCs) fight infections.
Blood cancers occur when abnormal blood cells start growing out of control, interrupting the function of normal blood cells, which fight off infection and produce new blood cells.
Types of blood cancers
The three main types of blood cancer are leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma:
1. Leukaemia is a blood cancer that originates in the blood and bone marrow. It occurs when the body creates too many abnormal white blood cells and interferes with the bone marrow’s ability to make red blood cells and platelets.
There are 2 types of blood cancers linked with the Lymphatic System: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma.
But what is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a part of our immune system and has many functions. They include protecting our body from illness-causing invaders, maintaining body fluid levels, absorbing digestive tract fats and removing cellular waste
2 (a). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections.
2(b). Hodgkin lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system from cells called lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by the presence of an abnormal lymphocyte called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
3. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that begins in the blood’s plasma cells, a type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow.
According to a report in The Indian Express, blood cancer accounts for eight per cent of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in India. Of all types of blood cancers, the three most common types that affect the Indian population are lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma, Dr Sunil Bhat, director and clinical lead, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre, Narayana Health City told exclusively to The Indian Express. While lymphomas and leukaemia affect adults and children both, myeloma is a relatively common condition that affects adults.
What are the causes and symptoms:
While there is no clarity as yet on what exactly triggers blood cancers, doctors do attribute some events as culprits, such as a family history of leukemia, smoking, genetic blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, which is sometimes called “preleukemia”, previous treatment for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, exposure to either high levels of radiation or chemicals such as benzene, etc.
Symptoms of blood cancer can be:
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Fever
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Chills
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Fatigue
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Weakness
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Bone and joint pain
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Weight loss
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Swelling of lymph nodes, liver and spleen
Blood cancer treatment and therapy options
Treatment for blood cancer depends on the type of cancer, one’s age, how fast the cancer is progressing, where cancer has spread and other factors. Doctors decide the treatments based on the individual case. These are specialised treatments, calls for which can only be taken by doctors who are trained in the same; but some known protocols are:
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Stem cell transplantation
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Chemotherapy
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Radiation therapy
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Cancer Surgery (removal of affected lymph nodes)
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Immunotherapy (activating the immune system to specifically kill cancer cells).
