This document discusses blood cancers and their treatment. It begins by defining hematology and hemato-oncology as the study of blood and blood cancers. The main types of blood cancers are described as leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas. The document outlines the common symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment approaches for blood cancers, noting that treatments have improved with fewer side effects and many blood cancers can now be cured. New areas of research are also discussed that may lead to more targeted and effective treatments in the future.

1. Blood Cancers
Dr. Farah Jijina
Consultant Hematologist & Hemato-oncologist
MD
Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai
http://www.hindujahospital.com/dr-farah-jijina/

2. Hematology ???
• The science encompassing the medical
study of the blood and blood-producing
organs
• Diseases of the blood

3. Hemato + Oncology – Blood Cancers
Cancers :
Leukemias
Lymphomas
Plasma cell dyscrasias
Myelomas
Benign hematology
Disorders of:
Red cells
White bld cells
Platelets
Coagulation

4. Hemato-oncology – Blood Cancers
Leukemias
•Acute leukemias
•Chronic leukemias
Lymphomas
•Non hodgkin’s lymphoma
•Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Myelomas

5. NO !!! Every blood cancer is different
• How the patient presents is different
• Treatment is different
• Prognosis is different
Are all Blood Cancers same ???

6. • Very few cancers have genetic predisposition
• Most of the cancers are not
hereditary
Are Blood Cancers Hereditary ???

7. • Cancers are not contagious at all
• Do not affect any family members who comes
in contact with patient
– Other children
– Spouse
– Care giver
Are Blood Cancers Contagious ???

8. Blood Cancers…
Leukemias…
• Acute
– ALL
– AML
• Chronic
– CML
– CLL
Lymphomas…
• Non hodgkin’s
lymphoma
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Myelomas…

9. Diagnosis - Blood Cancers…
• May be asymptomatic – NO COMPLAINTS
• Diagnosed on “R” health checks

10. Acute Leukemia…
Short course of symptoms

11. Chronic Leukemia / Lymphomas …
Usually longer course of
symptoms

12. Common Presenting symptoms
• Fatigue / tiredness (50%)
• Anorexia / no appetite (30-40%)
• Weight loss (30-40%)
• Fever without evident cause (10%)
• Bleeding (5%)

13. Bleeding

14. Other Common Symptoms
• Bone pain
• Infections
• Enlarged glands
• Enlarged liver / spleen
• Non-specific cough
• Headaches
• Night sweats
– Weight loss
– Anorexia
– Lassitude
– Night sweats

15. Clinical Features

16. Myeloma
• As they age, people often
complain of increasing
aches and pains
• But ….
• Chronic back pain, not
responding
• Anemia
• Renal failure
Especially in older persons

17. Laboratory Work-up
• CBC
• Uric Acid level
• Routine biochemical tests
• Clotting studies (PT, PTT, D-dimer, fibrinogen)
• Biopsy of any swelling
• X rays / CT Scan / MRI

18. Bone Marrow Aspirate and Biopsy
Special
tests done
on the
sample

20. • ALMOST ALL !!
• Some blood cancers one needs to wait and
watch; they do not require immediate treatment
• They are slow, chronic cancers
• Treatment is instituted only when symptoms
develop
• Regular check up is a must !!!
All cancers must be treated
IMMEDIATELY !!!

21. Treatment – Blood Cancers...
• Supportive care
• Chemotherapy
– No of cycles
– Phases of chemotherapy
• Bone marrow transplantation

22. What about the Side Effects ?
• Yes, there are side effects
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Infection
– Bleeding
• There are better medicines now to control the
adverse effects of chemotherapy

23. Oh, but I will go bald !!!
• Yes, you may, depending on
the treatment
• But the hair ALWAYS
COMES BACK !!!
• AND BETTER, CURLIER
THAN BEFORE !!!

25. Immediate Reaction
• Doom
• Despair
• Fear

26. • Hope
• Determination
• Grit
• Fighting Spirit

27. Many Blood Cancers can be Cured

28. New technologies
in the treatment
of cancer !!!

29. The Future
• Clinical trials
• New drug treatments
• Vaccines
• Immunotherapy
• Leukemia type-specific therapy
• Gene therapy
– Block encoding instructions of an oncogene
– Target the oncoprotein
• Blood and marrow stem cell transplantation
– Bone marrow transplantation provides long-
term, disease-free survival among patients in remission

30. • First aim of any cancer
treatment is to achieve cure
• Second aim is to make patient
lead a normal, socially
acceptable and productive life
• Any treatment plan deviating
from these goals is not state of
the art treatment
Undergoing cancer treatment means one
cannot lead a normal life or work ??

31. Life does triumph !!!

32. Dr. Farah Jijina
Consultant Hematologist & Hemato-oncologist
Appointment Helpline: 022-39818181/67668181/24451515
VOPS Schedule: Every Thursday, 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
Online Appointment: http://www.hindujahospital.com/vops/
For any Queries, please write us on: info@hindujahospital.com
Thank You