Hemoblastoses
Hemoblastoses are tumor diseases characterized by damage to the lymphatic and hematopoietic systems of the body.
Hemoblastoses are divided into 2 main groups: systemic and regional – leukemias and lymphomas, respectively.
Leukemia (aka leukemia, blood cancer) is a tumor disease of the circulatory system. Tumors that occur with leukemia have a high degree of malignancy. In leukemia, unlike lymphoma, the primary lesion area is always the bone marrow.
Lymphoma is a tumor disease affecting the tissues of the lymph nodes and internal organs. In lymphoma, the bone marrow is affected only as a result of metastasis.
The exact cause of hemoblastosis, as in cases with other malignant tumors, remains poorly understood. But the most likely causes of diseases related to this group traditionally include:
the factor of heredity. The most likely cause of the development of hemoblastosis, since these diseases are more common between blood relatives;
as in the cases of other malignant tumor diseases, the occurrence of hemoblastosis is usually attributed to the adverse effects on the body of various factors. These include: radiation, chemical poisoning, accumulation of toxic substances in the body, viruses and infections, stress, unhealthy lifestyle, depression.
SYMPTOMS OF HEMOBLASTOSIS
The symptoms of hemoblastosis vary depending on the specific type of disease, but still have common features. Common symptoms of hemoblastosis include:
enlarged lymph nodes;
pain in the area of hematopoietic organs – liver, spleen, bones;
malaise, weakness, low working capacity, fatigue;
weakening of immunity;
weight loss;
vertigo;
fainting;
shortness of breath, sweating, darkening of the eyes.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HEMOBLASTOSIS
After collecting complaints and examining the patient, the oncologist prescribes the following types of examinations:
general (extended) urine and blood tests;
biochemical analysis of blood serum;
bone marrow analysis – by puncture or biopsy;
biopsy or surgical removal of an inflamed lymph node for the purpose of histological examination;
ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, in order to determine the lesion of internal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys);
electrocardiogram;
chest X-ray;
computer or magnetic resonance imaging is carried out in order to determine the prevalence of the inflammatory process, detect metastases, determine the degree of damage to the organs of hematopoiesis.
A very important role in the treatment of hemoblastosis, as in the case of other malignant tumor diseases, is played by timely diagnosis and the initiation of adequate therapy. In this case, the chances of getting rid of this ailment significantly increase.
For the treatment of hemoblastosis, many types of therapy are used, each of which is selected specifically for each patient. Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of an oncologist and a hematologist. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are widely used, along with many other methods of treating hemoblastosis.
Chemotherapy is the introduction of special drugs into the patient’s body (often with high toxicity) that destroy or stop the division of tumor cells. It is carried out in several courses, the number of which is determined by a specialist – a chemotherapist – based on the picture of the disease.
Radiation therapy is the destruction of tumor cells by exposing them to ionizing radiation. It is often performed in conjunction with or after chemotherapy.
In particularly severe cases, a donor bone marrow transplant is resorted to. This is an extremely expensive and complex method of treatment, but at the same time it is one of the most effective.
