Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common type of treatment used to combat blood cancer. It involves the use of drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells in the body. These drugs work by damaging the DNA in cancer cells, which stops their ability to multiply.
Chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy or surgery. The type of chemotherapy used and the length of treatment will depend on the individual’s diagnosis and stage of cancer.
One downside of chemotherapy is that it also affects healthy cells in the body, causing side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and fatigue. However, healthcare providers can often manage these side effects with medication and lifestyle changes.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is one of the primary treatment options for blood cancer, specifically for localized tumors. It involves the use of high-energy radiation beams to target and kill cancer cells. The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
During radiation therapy, a machine called a linear accelerator delivers radiation beams to the affected area. These beams can come from outside the body (external beam radiation) or be placed directly on or inside the body (internal radiation or brachytherapy). The specific type of radiation therapy used depends on the type and stage of blood cancer.
Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that aims to attack specific cancer cells without affecting normal cells. It works by targeting specific molecules or proteins that are found on the surface of cancer cells. These molecules are known as molecular targets, and each targeted therapy drug is designed to block or interfere with them.
Targeted therapy is commonly used in the treatment of blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. It is usually given alongside other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
One example of targeted therapy is monoclonal antibody therapy, which involves using antibodies made in the laboratory to target specific cancer cells. Another type is small molecule inhibitors, which block specific proteins inside cancer cells to stop them from growing.
Targeted therapy can have fewer side effects compared to other cancer treatments because it does not damage healthy cells. However, it is important to note that not all patients with blood cancer will respond to targeted therapy. It is usually recommended for patients with specific molecular targets on their cancer cells.
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant
A stem cell transplant is a treatment option that involves replacing damaged or diseased stem cells with healthy ones. Stem cells are the building blocks of our blood and immune system. They are capable of growing into any type of blood cell needed by the body, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
For individuals with blood cancer, a stem cell transplant can be an effective treatment option. This process can be done in two ways: Autologous transplant and allogeneic transplant.
An autologous transplant involves collecting a patient’s own healthy stem cells before high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These cells are stored and then returned to the patient’s body after the cancer treatment to help rebuild the bone marrow. This approach is effective because it uses the patient’s own cells, which minimizes the risk of rejection.
An allogeneic transplant involves using stem cells from a matched donor. The donor can be a sibling, family member, or an unrelated donor who has a similar genetic makeup to the patient. Allogeneic stem cell transplants have a higher success rate than autologous transplants. This approach can be risky because the new cells may not always be accepted by the body. Immunosuppressive therapy may be needed to reduce the risk of rejection.
Immunotherapy
Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which directly target and destroy cancer cells, immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
The immune system is naturally equipped with various cells and proteins that act as defense mechanisms against foreign invaders. However, cancer cells often find ways to evade these defenses and continue to multiply and spread. Immunotherapy aims to reinvigorate and enhance the immune response against cancer cells.
There are several different types of immunotherapy used in the treatment of blood cancer. One approach is through the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs target specific proteins on immune cells or cancer cells that regulate immune responses. By blocking these proteins, immune checkpoint inhibitors help to unleash the immune system, allowing it to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
7. Surgery
Organs like the spleen tend to deteriorate from cancer cells, which can then causes inflammation, pain, fatigue, and bleeding. The only option in these cases would be to remove them through splenectomy, a kind of laparoscopic surgery that involves making small incisions in the stomach to remove the spleen from the body.
What you eat can make a huge difference in treatment…
Bone Marrow Transplant
Sometimes called stem cell transplants, bone marrow transplants involve the infusion of healthy stem cells from the patient or donor’s bone marrow into the body to help replace damaged ones. This procedure is usually performed after high doses of chemotherapy or radiotherapy to condition the body for transplantation.
A similar method draws cells from another source…
8. Maintain A Healthy Diet
Regularly eating healthy foods can mitigate the effects of blood cancer, increase resistance, and improve overall health. Nutritionists recommend a diet of primarily fruits and vegetables, with a generous assortment of whole grains, non-fat dairy, lean meats, fish, and olive oil.
It pays to be in good shape, too, when it comes to treating blood cancer…
9. Exercise Frequently
Regular physical exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, especially for blood cancer patients on the road to recovery. Gentle aerobic and flexibility exercises help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. Yoga and pilates, on the other hand, help promote greater physical endurance and coordination.
But, physical health is not the only important part of treatment…
10. Get Emotional Support
Receiving a blood cancer diagnosis can have a heavy impact on patients, with a number of them suffering from anxiety and depression. But, studies show that providing strong emotional support can help patients cope with the effects, improve their quality of life, and even increase their chances of survival.
