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HEMATOLOGIC CANCERS
Leukemia
Type of cancer found in the blood and bone marrow that is caused by the production of abnormal white blood cells. Symptoms include: weakness or fatigue, bruising or bleeding easily, fever, recurring infections, joint or bone pain, headaches, vomiting, seizures, weight loss, night sweats, shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes. There are four types: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, biologic therapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplant, or surgery.
Lymphoma
Type of cancer that begins in infection-fighting cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. These cells are in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts of the body. When lymphoma is present, lymphocytes change and grow out of control. Symptoms include: swollen lymph nodes, cough, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, itching. There are two types: Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or a stem cell transplant.
Multiple Myeloma
A type of blood cancer that begins with white blood cells, known as plasma cells, multiplying the wrong way and causing weak areas in bones known as lytic lesions. Symptoms include: bone pain, weakness and fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite, upset stomach, constipation, confusion, frequent infections, severe thirst, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs. While there is not presently a cure, treatments can slow its spread and sometimes make symptoms go away. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, corticosteroids, targeted therapies, and a stem cell transplant.
Bone Marrow Disorders
There are several disorders that can impact the structure and function of bone marrow, which serves as the body’s primary producer of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Common disorders include leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), anemia, and plasma cell disorders such as multiple myeloma. Symptoms can range from mild and non-specific to severe and life threatening. Symptoms include: weakness and fatigue, easily bleeding and bruising, common infections, extreme thirst, dehydration, frequent urination, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, drowsiness, increased confusion, bone pain or weakened bones, kidney damage, tingling due to nerve damage. Treatments include blood transfusions, stem cell transplant, chemotherapy, and radiation.
BLOOD DISORDERS
Iron Deficiency Anemia
When the body does not produce enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Symptoms include: fatigue or weakness, pale or yellow skin, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, headaches, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, cold feet and hands, hair loss, sore and swollen tongue, restless legs syndrome. Treatments include iron supplements and blood transfusions.
Platelet Disorders
Blooddisorders that impact platelet production include Thrombocytopenia, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Heparin -induced thrombocytopenia, Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and essential thrombocytosis.
Blood Clotting Systems
Blood clots occur once blood within the body is not broken up, occurring in the arms, legs, heart, lungs, belly, and kidneys. Symptoms include: pain, swelling, trouble breathing, sweating, difficulty breathing, dizziness, weakness, seizures, bloody urination, high blood pressure, nausea. Treatments include blood thinning medication, compression apparel, surgery, insertion of stents, and installment of vena cava filters.
White Blood Cell Disorders
Blood disorders that impact white blood cells include lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndrome.
Iron Metabolism
A blood disorder that may involve a number of genes including HFE and TFR2. Hepcidin is the master regulator of iron metabolism. Because of that most genetic forms of iron overload can relative to hepcidin deficiency in one way or another. Some causes with iron absorption are traced to insufficient stomach acid, lack of intrinsic factor (IF), celiac disease, inflammatory conditions like Chrohn’s and hormone imbalances. With early diagnosis and treatment, those suffering with this disorder can have a normal life expectancy. Treatments include phlebotomy, chelation, and dietary changes.
IMMUNOTHERAPY
A type of treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer and mainly consists of stimulating the immune system to help it do its job more effectively. Types of immunotherapy include biological response modifiers, tumor vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Side effects include: fever, chills, nausea, loss of appetite, rashes or swelling at injection site, low blood pressure, fatigue, and muscle aches.
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
A drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body. It is most often used to treat cancer because cancer cells grow and multiply quicker than most cells. Symptoms include: fatigue, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, bleeding and bruising, anemia, infections, constipation, diarrhea, trouble with memory loss, mouth and throat sores, nerve damage, appetite and weight loss, pain, skin and nail changes, urinary tract complications, mood swings, fertility complications, heart problems.