Blood Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or particles to destroy cancer cells in the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. It is often used in combination with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or bone marrow transplantation for effective treatment.

How It Works

• Directly targets cancer cells, preventing their growth and spread
• Can be used to shrink tumors before a transplant or relieve symptoms

Common Side Effects

• Fatigue
• Skin irritation at the treatment site
• Nausea
• Low blood cell counts

Immunotherapy is an advanced treatment that boosts the body's immune system to recognize and destroy blood cancer cells. It is often used alongside chemotherapy or targeted therapy for enhanced effectiveness.

Types of Immunotherapy

• Monoclonal Antibodies – Lab-made proteins that target specific cancer cells.
• Checkpoint Inhibitors – Help the immune system detect and attack cancer.
• CAR T-Cell Therapy – Genetically modifies T-cells to fight cancer cells.
• Cytokine Therapy – Uses proteins like interferons and interleukins to enhance immunity.

Common Side Effects

• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Skin rash
• Low blood pressure

Targeted therapy is a specialized cancer treatment that focuses on specific molecules and pathways involved in blood cancer growth. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy selectively blocks cancer cell functions, minimizing damage to healthy cells.

How It Works

• Blocks cancer cell signals to stop growth and division.
• Prevents blood vessel formation that feeds tumors.
• Boosts the immune system to attack cancer cells.

Common Side Effects

• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Nausea
• Liver issues

A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is a life-saving procedure for blood cancer patients. It involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells to restore normal blood cell production.

Types of Transplants

• Autologous Transplant – Uses the patient’s own stem cells, collected before treatment.
• Allogeneic Transplant – Uses stem cells from a compatible donor.
• Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant – Uses stem cells from umbilical cord blood.

When It’s Needed

• For leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood disorders
• After high-dose chemotherapy or radiation to rebuild healthy cells

Common Side Effects

• Infections due to weak immunity
• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic transplants
• Fatigue and nausea

CAR T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking immunotherapy that genetically modifies a patient’s own T-cells to recognize and destroy blood cancer cells. It is highly effective for leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, offering hope for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments.

How It Works

• T-Cell Collection – Patient’s T-cells are extracted from the blood.
• Genetic Modification – T-cells are engineered to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) that recognize cancer cells.
• Infusion – The modified T-cells are infused back into the patient to attack cancer.

Common Side Effects

• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) – Fever, fatigue, and low blood pressure
• Neurological issues – Confusion, headaches
• Increased infection risk