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Haematology Oncology
What is Haematology Oncology?
Haematology oncology refers to the diagnosis, management and treatment of blood cancers or disorders affecting the health of the blood cells. Blood cancers, also called haematological cancers, develop in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Blood cancer occurs because of an abnormal mutation in the blood cells, when the cells rapidly multiply at an exceedingly high speed, affecting the function of surrounding healthy blood cells responsible for combating potential infections and secreting new blood cells.
Myeloma, lymphoma, and leukaemia are the primary bone marrow and blood cancer types. For example, leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that originally develops in the bone marrow and blood. Leukaemia arises when the body produces unhealthy white blood cells in excess, which affects the secretion of platelets and red blood cells.
What types of blood disorders exist?
- Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that first starts in the plasma cells, which are white blood cells produced in the bone marrow.
- Lymphoma can be divided into Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma begins in the lymphatic cells (lymphocytes). Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma arises from lymphocytes, white blood cells that combat opportunistic infections.
- Aplastic anaemia is an uncommon condition that occurs when primary stem cells sustain damage and can only be resolved with a bone marrow transplant.
How do you treat blood cancer?
There are multiple blood cancer treatments, depending on your type. The following are types of treatments for blood cancer:
- Stem cell transplant involves transferring healthy, blood-making stem cells into the body.
- Chemotherapy utilises anti-cancer therapy to obstruct the development of cancerous cells. Chemotherapy can be combined with other therapies to treat cancer.
- Radiation therapy is a specific treatment that targets and eradicates cancer or minimises pain/discomfort.
When deciding on a treatment plan, your oncologist will consider factors like age, present health status and the nature, extent, and location of the cancer.
FAQ
Several factors play a role in the development of blood cancer, such as the following:
- The patient's age.
- Patient's sex
- Patient's family history of blood disorders
- Exposure to certain chemicals or radiation
- Unexplainable bruising or bleeding
- Swelling or lumps
- Unexplainable weight loss
- Trouble breathing
- Skin rash/itchiness over the skin
- High fever
- Recurrent/severe infections
- Abdominal pain
- Bone pain
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