What Is Bone Marrow Cancer? Types, Symptoms and Treatment

In a human body, the stem cells in the marrow are responsible for developing white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs) or blood platelets. When these cells in the bone marrow start to grow at an alarming rate or abnormally, this condition is called bone marrow cancer or blood cancer. The symptoms of bone marrow cancer depend on the types of cancer and differ from general bone cancer.

Bone marrow cancer can be of different types, and based on the nature and stage of cancer, doctors proceed with the medication. Here are the common bone marrow cancer variants:

1. Leukaemia

In leukaemia, the abnormal blood cell grows to such an extent that it does not let the good blood cell develop, making these bad cells swarm on RBCs, WBCs and platelets, thus tampering with their natural way of functioning.

The acute phase of leukaemia comprises immature blood cells called blasts. However, there are different types of leukaemia cancer in the medical history:

The two types of cancer that affect children and adults are:

• Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
• Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

The two variants of cancer that affect mostly adults are:

• Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

2. Multiple Myeloma

This is the most common form of bone marrow cancer that affects the plasma cells. In patients with multiple myeloma, the cancerous plasma cells push away the healthy white blood cells that fight the infection and prevent the disease. In this type of cancer, the bad cells swarm over the good palates and weaken the body.

3. Childhood Leukaemia

This type of cancer arises mostly in children and teens. This type of cancer affects the early stage of childhood and directly hits the white blood cells.

4. Lymphoma

In this condition, the lymphocyte cells grow abnormally, developing moderate-sized tumours that tamper with the body's natural immune system. In a medical dictionary, lymphoma is of two types: Hodgkin's lymphoma (Type B lymphocytes) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Type B or T lymphocytes).

The symptoms of bone marrow cancer differ across different natures of cancer and involve distinct diagnoses. To understand the appropriate treatment, here are the most common signs and symptoms of variants of bone marrow cancer.

• Acute bone and joint pain
• Nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained flu
• Breathing issues
• Swollen lymph nodes

Based on these symptoms of  bone marrow cancer, the oncologists conduct blood tests and scans to achieve the surety of the complication.

Numerous medical surveys and research have been conducted to identify the root causes for bone marrow cancer. However, no concrete answer was derived. Though doctors worldwide, with the help of their experience, have been able to gather some factors that can be causes of this type of cancer, which includes:

• Exposure to certain viruses like Hepatitis C, HIV, Retrovirus and herpes
• Genes and family medical history with blood cancer
• Being in contact with chemical toxins for a longer period
• Obesity and smoking

Based on different types of bone marrow cancer, causes and risk factors vary across individuals.

The various types of bone marrow cancer are influenced by diverse factors that trigger the development of bone marrow cancer. Let us understand the different risk factors based on the nature of bone marrow cancer:

1. Lymphoma

Research shows that people who are 60 and above and hold certain autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are prone to lymphoma. In addition to this, exposure to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and infections like HIV can also increase the chances of developing this disease.

2. Multiple Myeloma

Most people diagnosed with multiple myeloma have a history of any plasma cell disease in their family. In general cases, this type of bone marrow cancer is hereditary. However, men with acute obesity are prone to catch up with this type.

3. Childhood Leukaemia

The causes of bone marrow cancer in the form of childhood leukaemia are not detected in general. However, doctors worldwide found out that most children with Down Syndromes, Fanconi anaemia are likely to develop childhood leukaemia. Furthermore, some other risk factors that influence the chances are:

• Intake of any chemotherapy medications
• Going through an organ transplant or immunosuppression therapy
• Family history of leukaemia or having an identical twin with leukaemia or other bone marrow disease

4. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

This type of bone marrow cancer is most common in men, and factors that have an impact on the occurrence of acute myeloid leukaemia are:

• Radiation therapy or chemotherapy
• Down Syndrome
• Genetics or family history
• Smoking and exposure to a chemical reaction, etc

To start the necessary treatment for bone marrow cancer, diagnosis involving the identification of blood cancer is pivotal. This includes an examination to check the condition of lymph nodes and overall health. Then, doctors perform various types of tests and screening to diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment based on the evaluation of the results.

Blood Tests and Biopsies

These are the most popular forms of diagnosis of blood cancer. On noticing the symptoms of bone marrow cancer, specialist physicians suggest a complete blood count that examines white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. On the other hand, a biopsy is the process of collection of cell samples to check the condition of lymph nodes.

Imaging Scans

Imaging scan, which includes Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Ultrasound, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and MRI, helps to identify the enlarged lymph node and any other visible tumours.

The treatment for bone marrow disease involves the following methods:

• Most popular treatment prescribed by an oncologist for treating blood cancer is chemotherapy. This method destroys the cancer cells in a human body, thereby reducing the chances of spreading cancer.
• Based on the condition of health, the doctors might also perform radiation therapy. In radiation therapy, the high energy rays kill the cancer cells by pointing to targeted areas, reducing the size of a tumour if present.
•  Patients diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer are often prescribed oral medication to start with the treatment for bone marrow cancer.

There are no specified preventive measures for restricting chances of developing bone marrow cancer. The causes of bone marrow cancer depend on many uncontrollable factors like family history, syndromes, exposure to certain toxins, etc. However, doctors and health experts always recommend maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption and avoiding exposure to pesticides and chemical toxins. Moreover, people with a family history of bone marrow cancer are asked to follow up and conduct routine blood tests after every 6-9 months.

With advancement of medical science, people diagnosed with early cancer stage respond positively to bone marrow cancer treatment. Hence, it is always recommended to consult doctors and abide by the medications once detected with symptoms of bone marrow cancer.