Blood Cancer- Part 2

 How is blood cancer diagnosed?

A physical examination to check your overall health is often the first step in making a diagnosis. Your doctor will look at your body and lymph nodes, look for signs of infection, and review your medical history.

The diagnosis of blood cancer can be made with a variety of tests and procedures. The type of blood cancer that is suspected will dictate what you need. In order to make a diagnosis, your care team may suggest testing and evaluate all of the results with you.

Biopsies

A biopsy is a procedure that takes cell samples for a pathologist to look at in a lab. A lymph node biopsy, which involves taking a sample of lymph tissue or the entire lymph node, may be required for certain types of blood cancer, such as lymphoma.

Certain types of blood cancer can be identified by testing your bone marrow, the place where blood cells are made. A bone marrow aspiration is a method by which a small amount of blood, bone, and bone are taken from either a breastbone or a hip bone. The sample is sent to a laboratory to be examined for abnormal cells or genetic changes.

Imaging scans

Certain types of blood cancer respond better to imaging scans than others. While an enlarged lymph node is a common symptom of lymphoma, leukemia, a blood cancer that does not cause visible tumors, is typically not diagnosed with a scan. Nonetheless, if cancer has spread to other parts of the body, scans may help.

Scans include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

• X-ray

• Ultrasound

• Certain types of scans are used during biopsies to help pinpoint the area to be sampled.

Blood tests

The cell count of various blood components, including platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells, is shown in a complete blood count (CBC).

The levels of important substances in your blood are measured by blood chemistry tests. For instance, abnormal levels of particular proteins may provide information about your condition. Doctors may want to check your calcium level in your blood if they think you might have multiple myeloma. An enzyme known as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) can be measured to rule out lymphoma.

Blood cancer treatment and therapy options

The type of blood and bone marrow cancer, your age, how quickly it is progressing, where it has spread, and other factors influence treatment. Treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma of the blood include:

• Stem cell transplantation: Healthy blood-forming stem cells are introduced into the body through a stem cell transplant. Bone marrow, circulating blood, and umbilical cord blood are all sources of stem cells.

• Chemotherapy: Anticancer medications are used in chemotherapy to stop the body's growth of cancer cells. In some cases, blood cancer chemotherapy involves administering multiple medications concurrently in a predetermined schedule. Prior to a stem cell transplant, this treatment may also be administered.

• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy can be used to treat pain or discomfort as well as destroy cancer cells. It could also be administered prior to a stem cell transplant.

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