Bone marrow cancer occurs when cells in the bone marrow begin to grow abnormally at a fast rate.
A lot of people misinterpret bone marrow cancer as bone cancer. Some cancers may spread to your bones and bone marrow, but they are not classified as bone marrow cancers. Cancers or sarcoma that originate inside the bone marrow are classified as bone marrow cancer or sometimes referred to as blood cancer (myelodysplastic syndromes).
There are different types of bone marrow cancers. These are categorized into three major categories:
This type of bone marrow cancer forms in a type of WBC (White Blood Cell) called the plasma cells. Plasma cells manufacture antibodies to shield you against foreign bodies such as germs, bacteria, and viruses.
In the case of multiple myeloma, healthy blood cells are being overcrowded by cancerous plasma cells. Thus, it may decrease your body’s ability to fight infections, and it can lead to bone loss.
2. Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that produces abnormal blood cells. Commonly, leukemia forms in WBCs (White Blood Cells), yet it can also happen in other blood cells. In addition, these abnormal cells interfere with the healthy blood cell’s ability to function.
These abnormal blood cells crowd healthy blood cells since they do not die off as they are supposed to. Leukemia could be chronic (slow-growing) or acute (fast-growing). Chronic leukemia includes more mature cells and may not display signs and symptoms for years.
3. Lymphoma
This medical condition is a type of cancer which starts from lymphocytes (infection-fighting cells of the immune system). When you are diagnosed with lymphoma, the lymphocytes in your body abnormally grow and change.
There are two types of lymphoma which are categorized as:
a. Hodgkin (most common type of lymphoma)
b. Non-Hodgkin
Bone Marrow Cancer Signs and Symptoms
The importance of classifying different types of bone marrow cancers is that they vary in terms of signs and symptoms.
1. Multiple myeloma:
In the case of multiple myeloma, signs and symptoms may not appear in the early stages. However, when they occur, these may be comprised of:
- Bone pain (particularly in the chest and spine area)
- Constipation
- Excessive thirst
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Loss of appetite
- Mental fogginess or confusion
- Nausea
- Weakness or numbness in your legs
- Weight loss
2. Leukemia
There are various types of leukemia which may occur in both adults and children. Try to seek medical attention if you are suffering from one of these signs or symptoms:
- Bone pain
- Bruising or bleeding easily, which includes frequent nosebleeds
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Excessive sweating
- Fever and chills
- Frequent or severe infections
- Night sweats
- Petechiae, or tiny red dots on the skin
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
3. Lymphoma
Lymphoma can affect your lymphatic system and can spread throughout the organs of the body. It is best to schedule an appointment with your physician if you experience these signs and symptoms:
- Fever
- Itchy skin
- Night sweats
- Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin
- Persistent fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
Bone Marrow Cancer Treatment
Every type of bone marrow cancer has varying signs and symptoms which differ in the rate of growth and their response to medical treatment. Here are some examples of procedures that you can try if you have the following MDS types:
1. Multiple myeloma
Treatment of multiple myeloma aims to manage the complications of the disease, decelerate the spread, relieve the pain, and stabilize the patient’s condition.
a. Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of medical treatment for cancer that utilizes drugs or other chemicals to identify and attack cancer cells accurately.
b. Immunotherapy
This method of cancer treatment aids your immune system in combating cancer. This type of biological therapy detects and destroys abnormal cells and hinder the growth of cancers and tumors.
c. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a medical treatment that utilizes powerful drugs or chemicals to eliminate rapidly growing cells in your boy. It can be inserted through your veins or ingested orally in a capsule, liquid, or tablet form.
d. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are active against myeloma cells. They are used to bring relief to the inflamed parts of your body and this treatment regulates the immune system to do so.
e. Bone marrow transplant
A bone marrow transplant is the process of taking cells (stem cells) inside the bone marrow which will be filtered through radiation or chemotherapy. The end goal of this process is to transfer healthy bone marrow cells to a patient or another person who has already been treated.
f. Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy, or often referred to as radiotherapy, is used to treat cancer via high exposure to radiation which shrinks and kills cancer cells. Specifically, radiotherapy utilizes high-powered beams, such as protons and X-rays, to eliminate cancer cells.
2. Leukemia
The treatment for leukemia is very complex. Moreover, treatment for leukemia depends on its type and other factors such as age, general health, and dissemination to other parts of the body.
Here are the usual treatments for leukemia:
a. Chemotherapy
b. Targeted therapy
c. Radiation therapy
d. Immunotherapy
e. Bone marrow transplant
f. Engineering immune cells to fight leukemia
3. Lymphoma
The treatment for lymphoma can differ depending on the type of lymphoma and its current stage. However, lymphoma is said to be very treatable. Treatments for lymphoma include:
a. Chemotherapy
b. Radiation therapy
c. Bone marrow transplant
To reiterate, each of these types of cancers emerges from different types of cells. Such that, a lot of people who are diagnosed with bone marrow cancer have no known risks. Thus, it is best to seek advice from your doctor about your medical concerns.
Your physician can assist you in finding appropriate treatment for your bone marrow cancer type and its stage. Also, do consider checking on MDS new treatment to know more about bone marrow cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome treatment.