Most of us don’t think about blood cancer unless it affects someone we know. It’s one of those things that sounds scary and complicated. But the truth is, the more we understand it, the better we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Blood makes up about 8% of your body weight and is vital to keeping all your organs functioning smoothly. It carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and antibodies to every part of your body. Blood cancer, or haematologic cancer, affects the blood and begins in the bone marrow or lymphatic system.

While it’s not as common as other cancers, it is a life-threatening form of cancer and requires early detection for the best outcome. So, what are the early blood cancer symptoms to watch out for? Are they different in men and women? And how can you catch them early?

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about blood cancer, in simple terms—what blood cancer is, primary types, its symptoms at different stages, whether a woman’s blood cancer symptoms differ from those of a man, causes and risks, diagnosis, treatment options and more.

Let’s start with understanding what blood cancer is!

What is Blood Cancer?

In simple words, blood cancer is a disease that affects how your blood cells are made and how they work.
Blood is made of two major components: plasma, which carries cells and waste, and blood cells, which include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. While each type of cell has a specific job, white blood cells play a central role in your immune system, helping your body fight off infections. Now, imagine what happens when these white blood cells stop behaving the way they should.

That’s essentially what blood cancer is—a condition where the body starts producing white blood cells abnormally and excessively. Blood cancer usually starts in the bone marrow—the place inside your bones where blood cells are created. The WBCs multiply too fast, don’t die off when they should, and start interfering with healthy cell functions.

Types of Blood Cancer

Did you know there are over 100 different kinds of blood cancer? While most fall under three primary categories, namely, leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, the term also covers lesser-known conditions like myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).

Blood cancer is also amongst the most commonly occurring cancers amongst children, with childhood leukaemia making up around 25% of all cancers diagnosed in children below 15 years of age.

The acute type of blood cancers grows and spreads quickly, while others, referred to as chronic types, develop more gradually, over time. However, in some cases, blood cancer can even change its form and become more aggressive as it progresses.
Here’s a look at the three primary categories under which most of the sub-types fall:

  • Leukaemia: This type of blood cancer starts in the bone marrow and causes the body to produce large numbers of abnormal white cells that disrupt the healthy ones, making it difficult to fight infections, carry oxygen, or stop bleeding through clotting.
  • Lymphoma: This begins in the lymphatic system and affects the lymph nodes and immune cells. In this, the symptoms may include swollen glands, extreme fatigue, and increased infections.
  • Multiple Myeloma: This type of cancer affects plasma cells, a kind of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. These cells multiply uncontrollably, damaging bones and weakening the immune system.

While each of these types of blood cancers may have some common and some specific symptoms, the one thing common for all types is the earlier you catch them, the better your chances of recovery.

What Causes Blood Cancer?

While the exact causes aren’t always clear, several risk factors may increase your chances. This includes:

  • Genetic mutations
  • Long-term exposure to harmful chemicals like benzene
  • History of cancer treatment
  • Smoking
  • A weakened immune system
  • Exposure to high doses of radiation
  • A family history of blood cancers

Blood Cancer Symptoms as Per Cancer Stages and Gender

Blood cancer is a little different from other cancers involving tumours, which is why a clear stage-wise diagnosis becomes more subjective. Most specialists in the field often describe its progression in phases—from early to advanced—based on how far the blood cancer has spread and how it’s affecting the body. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand what symptoms may show up at different stages or phases.

Early Phase or First Stage of Blood Cancer Symptoms

In the beginning, symptoms can be vague and easy to miss, or in some cases, they may not appear until the condition worsens. This is also because the symptoms may be mistaken for a minor infection or other illnesses, unless a blood test is done for some other reason that reveals it. Here are some of the first signs of blood cancer:

  • Unexplained fatigue, i.e, feeling constantly tired even after resting
  • Increased frequency of mild to severe fever or infections
  • Paleness of skin (due to reduced red blood cells)
  • Shortness of breath
  • If you are easily bruising
  • Nosebleeds
  • Slow-healing wounds
  • Occasional swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck or armpits)

Progression Phase or 2nd Stage of Blood Cancer Symptoms

As the cancer grows, symptoms may worsen, and the body may start exhibiting more noticeable signs. As they become harder to ignore, many people often start seeking medical advice and may be required to undergo various blood tests, scans, and examinations for proper diagnosis.

Additional blood cancer 2nd stage symptoms may include:

  • Night sweats without a clear reason
  • Unexplained Weight loss (a common sign for many cancers)
  • Bone or joint pain 
  • More frequent infections
  • Abdominal swelling

Advanced Phase or Blood Cancer Last Stage Symptoms

In advanced stages, the symptoms can become severe and more widespread. The goal at this point is to manage symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life through treatment. It’s important to know that not everyone will experience all the given symptoms, and with timely diagnosis, many people might receive treatment before reaching this stage.

The key symptoms of the last stage of blood cancer may include:

  • Extreme weakness and exhaustion, making even small tasks feel draining
  • Bleeding that’s hard to stop 
  • Severe infections 
  • Confusion or dizziness 
  • Petechiae rash (purple, red or brown spots that don’t fade upon pressing)
  • Skin turning paler

One of the other common questions around blood cancer symptoms is “Whether the symptoms differ for males and females?”

Now, it is important to understand that while the core symptoms of blood cancer are generally the same for everyone, be it a woman, a man or a child, there may be some subtle differences in how men and women experience or report certain signs and symptoms. Let’s discuss gender-specific symptoms in a bit more detail.

Symptoms of Blood Cancer in Females

Some symptoms may be more noticeable in women and can involve the following: 

  • Irregular or heavy periods
  • Severe and unexplained bone, joint or back pain
  • Persistent fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest
  • Frequent infections or fever
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Bruising or bleeding easily

Blood Cancer Symptoms in Males

As per research, blood cancer is more prevalent amongst men than women. However, men often experience similar symptoms but may delay seeing a doctor, especially if they think it’s just fatigue or ageing.

  • Low energy levels and chronic tiredness
  • Bleeding gums
  • Swelling in the lymph nodes, groin, or neck
  • Bone pain, especially in the ribs or spine
  • Unintended weight loss and appetite changes
  • In rare cases, blood cancer can also cause testicular swelling in men.

Blood Cancer Symptoms on Skin to Watch Out For! (especially in children)

We often associate blood cancer with internal symptoms like fatigue, frequent infections or bone pain, but it affects your skin in visible ways. These signs are often overlooked or mistaken for other conditions like normal bruising, allergies or minor infections. But in some cases, they can be early indicators of something more serious, like blood cancer.

This is especially important when it comes to children as they are often unable to explain their unusual symptoms or what they are feeling. That’s why it’s important for the parents and caretakers of the children to keep an eye on any unusual skin changes as it can become critical in early diagnosis of blood cancers, like leukaemia, which is one of the most common cancers in children.

Common skin symptoms in blood cancer may include: 

  • Easy bruising: Bruises that appear without a clear cause, especially among children and seem to be more frequent than usual.
  • Petechiae: Tiny red, purple, or brown spots that look like a dermatitis rash. A differentiating characteristic is that they don’t fade or turn white when pressed, unlike other common rashes.
  • Paleness of skin: A noticeably pale or washed-out skin appearance, especially of the face or lips.
  • Itchy skin or rashes: In some types of blood cancer, like lymphoma, people (including children) may experience intense and unexplained itching or dry rashes.
  • Blotchy skin patches: In advanced stages, patches of blood may form beneath the skin due to bleeding, causing blotchy, darker areas on the skin.

It is important to note that the prevalence of one or more of these signs doesn’t always mean cancer, but they do mean your body (or your child’s body) is trying to tell you something. When paired with other symptoms and initial bloodwork, they can be crucial clues for doctors to diagnose blood cancers early.

How is Blood Cancer Diagnosed?

After you notice some signs or symptoms and visit your healthcare professional, the doctor might suggest all or a combination of a few tests to diagnose blood cancer and other details, such as type, progression phase, etc. These tests include: 

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) – to check the blood cells, plasma, and infections, if any. 
  • Bone marrow biopsy – to detect abnormal cells
  • Imaging tests – like CT or MRI scans
  • Genetic testing – to find mutations

Please remember that early diagnosis is the most powerful tool against blood cancer. If you notice any unusual signs and symptoms indicative of a serious illness, please consult the doctor and get tested from a trusted diagnostic service provider like Healthians.

How is Blood Cancer Treated—and Is It Curable?

Treatment for blood cancer varies based on the specific type, its progression, and the patient’s overall health. Common treatment options include:

  • Chemotherapy: A common treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
  • Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells.
  • Targeted therapy: Focuses on specific genes or proteins that cancer cells rely on to grow.
  • Immunotherapy: Boosts the body’s natural defences to fight cancer.
  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplant: A procedure to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy cells.​

Is Blood Cancer Curable?

Yes, many types of blood cancer are curable, especially in children. For instance, the 5-year survival rate for children under age 5 with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is approximately 94.4%, and about 92.5% for those under age 15. Similarly, children under 14 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma have a 5-year survival rate of 91%. ​In general, the five-year survival rate for blood cancer is around 70%.

Final Thoughts

Blood cancer is serious, but it’s not unbeatable. Catching the signs early can help you or your loved ones seek timely medical help and improve the chances of remission and recovery. So, don’t ignore fatigue that lingers, bruises that appear without reason, or infections that keep coming back. Pay attention and listen to your body. And most importantly, don’t hesitate to talk to a doctor if something feels off. After all, awareness is the first step towards recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can blood cancer be prevented?

Ans. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent blood cancer, reducing the risk factors that may contribute to developing blood cancer can help. This includes avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, and managing underlying health conditions.

Q. Can blood cancer be inherited?

Ans. While most blood cancers aren’t directly inherited, certain genetic mutations can increase the risk. It’s important to discuss your family history with a healthcare provider to assess any potential risks.

Q. What is the survival rate for blood cancer?

Ans. While the overall five-year survival rate of blood cancer is around 70%, it may vary depending on the type and stage of blood cancer.

Q. How is blood cancer diagnosed?

Ans. Your healthcare provider, after a physical examination of the symptoms that may show on your skin or health, may recommend certain tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type and stage of cancer. The tests typically involve blood tests to check for abnormalities, bone marrow biopsy to examine blood cells, CT or PET imaging scans and genetic testing to identify specific mutations​.

Q. How fast does blood cancer spread?

Ans. It depends on the type of blood cancer. Acute types, like acute leukaemia, grow quickly and often require immediate treatment, but chronic types usually progress more slowly over the years. However, early diagnosis helps determine the best course of action and improves the chances of treatment success and recovery.

Follow for More – https://tri-cities.in | https://bharatjournal.com