Hemato-Oncology

What is Hemato-Oncology

Hemato-oncology is a medical specialty focused on cancers that affect the bone marrow, lymphatic systems, and blood. Hemato-oncologists help patients treat and manage symptoms related to various blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and so on. Read on to learn more about the types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care of blood cancers.

Types of Hematologic Cancer

Leukemia
This type of cancer is caused by the abnormally rapid proliferation of white blood cells. It can be categorized into:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Lymphoma

Lymphomas begin from the lymph system. The two major types of lymphomas are:

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Multiple Myeloma/Kahler’s disease

This type of blood cancer develops in the plasma cells present in the bone marrow.

Common Symptoms 

Symptoms vary based on the type of blood/hematologic cancer. They may include:

• Shedding of weight
• Bruising or bleeding
• Lumps 
• Breathlessness 
• Thoroughly wetting night sweats
• Severe, persistent, or recurrent infections
• Rash or itchy skin
• Pain in bones, joints, or abdomen
• Consistent fatigue 
• Fever with a temperature of 37.5 °C or above

Causes or Risk Factors of Hematologic Cancer

Blood cancers are primarily caused by mutations in the DNA of blood cells. Other risk factors include:

• Advancing age
• Gender
• Compromised immune system
• Exposure to higher doses of radiation
• Exposure to industrial chemicals 
• History of autoimmune diseases
• History of infection with Epstein-Barr virus
• Smoking

How are Hematologic Cancers Diagnosed?

A diagnosis often begins with a physical examination to assess the patient’s health. Healthcare professionals review the patient’s health history, examine lymph nodes, and check for signs of infection or bruising. Distinct types of tests and procedures used to diagnose blood cancer are described below. 

Blood Tests 

A complete blood count (CBC) depicts the cell count of distinct blood components, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Blood chemistry tests estimate the levels of essential substances in the blood. For instance, abnormal levels of specific proteins might provide information about the patient’s condition. If multiple myeloma is suspected, healthcare professionals might want to analyze the calcium levels in the patient’s blood. If lymphoma is suspected, an enzyme known as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) might be quantified. 

Imaging Scans 

A scan might locate an enlarged lymph node, which is a common manifestation of lymphoma, but it is not generally used to diagnose leukemia. Commonly used scanning techniques include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• X-ray

Biopsies 

A biopsy includes the collection of cell samples for examination by a pathologist in the laboratory. For certain types of hematologic cancers, such as lymphoma, the patient might require a lymph node biopsy, which involves obtaining a sample of the lymph tissue or a complete lymph node. 

Testing the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced, can aid in diagnosing certain forms of blood cancer. Healthcare professionals employ a procedure known as bone marrow aspiration to excise a small sample of bone marrow, blood, and bone from either a hip bone or breastbone. The sample is sent to a laboratory and analyzed to detect abnormal cells or modifications in the genetic material. 

Hemato-Oncology Treatment Approaches

The treatment plan is tailored by healthcare professionals based on symptoms, type of blood cancer, subtype and stage, overall health, type of cell, and genetic testing results. Commonly used approaches include:

Chemotherapy: This approach uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drug is often administered directly into a vein. 

Immunotherapy: It is a way of treating cancer that makes use of person’s own immune system to attack the cancer. An example of innovative immunotherapy is CAR-T therapy, wherein an individual’s own T cells are genetically modified to enhance their ability to search and destroy cancer cells.

Radiotherapy: This method employs high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to destroy cancer cells.

Stem Cell Transplantation: This method involves putting healthy stem cells into the body to help restore the normal production and function of blood cells. Stem cell transplant can be:

• Autologous/Autograft: Here, a person’s own stem cells are collected and stored and given back to them later by transplant.
• Allogeneic/Allograft: Here, someone else’s or donor’s stem cells are used for the transplant.

Targeted Therapies: They are cancer treatments that work by targeting the genetic modifications that cancer cells have but normal cells do not. There are many types of targeted therapies, such as: 

• Monoclonal antibodies (MAB): These are artificial antibodies that work by identifying proteins on the surface of cancer cells. Few of these antibodies interfere with signals that a cancer requires to thrive or spread. 
• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI): They work by blocking the signals sent from tyrosine kinases, which aid in spreading cancer.

Life After Treatment: The Significance of Continuing Care

Many individuals enjoy long and healthy lives after blood cancer treatment. Sometimes, the treatment can impact an individual’s health for months or even years after it has finished. Fear of cancer recurrence can make one feel anxious and is a critical concern for family members. Following simple steps as given below can prove beneficial: 

Follow-up appointments: Regular check-ups post-treatment are critical for monitoring progress and addressing any issues immediately. 

Lifestyle modifications: In patients who consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and whole grains, their bodies replace blood cells and tissues broken down by treatment. Maintaining a healthy body weight through regular exercise can help combat treatment side effects and pave the way for faster recovery. 

Enormous strides are made in the field of diagnostics as well as treatment modalities, which can improve the health span of individuals who have blood cancer. Visit Fortis Healthcare for the best hemato-oncology treatments.