About Blood Cancer 

When bone marrow cells start growing abnormally, it results in blood cancer. There are three types of blood cancer, depending on the type of cell affected:

 

• Lymphoma

This type of blood cancer affects the lymphatic system, particularly the lymph nodes and a type of blood cell called lymphocytes. The most common type of lymphoma is Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphoma is the most common form of blood cancer in adults and accounts for nearly 50% of all diagnosed blood cancer cases.

 

• Leukaemia

This type of blood cancer affects the white blood cells or leucocytes. It can be acute (fast-growing) or chronic (slow-growing). It can affect the lymphocytes (causing lymphocytic leukaemia) or other blood cells (affecting other blood cells). Leukaemia is more common in children below the age of 15.

 

• Myeloma

This type of blood cancer affects plasma cells that make antibodies against infectious microbes. Myeloma affects the body’s ability to fight infection.

 

Common symptoms of blood cancer are:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Unexplained or unintended weight loss
• Bone and joint pain
• Anaemia (low red blood cells count)

When is Surgery Performed for Blood Cancer?

Surgery is not the first line of treatment for blood cancers and may be performed only in some lymphomas. Surgery may be indicated for blood cancer in the following conditions:

• For lymph node biopsy
• To remove affected lymph nodes in some lymphomas
• To insert catheters into the body to make it easier to administer chemotherapy
• Placement of the ommaya reservoir before intrathecal chemotherapy

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Blood Cancer Surgery?

Surgery is usually not recommended if you have been diagnosed with blood cancer. However, you may require surgery:

• In the advanced stages of some blood cancers, surgery may help ease symptoms when blood cancer cells get trapped in organs like the spleen and cause swelling and pain
• To place access catheters for injecting drugs and collecting tissue samples during blood cancer treatment

 

Blood Cancer Surgery Cost in the UK

The cost of blood cancer surgery in the UK is variable and depends upon the following factors:

• Type of blood cancer
• If the cancer is slow-growing or fast-growing
• The extent of cancer spread
• If the cancer is primary or secondary
• Age and fitness of the patient
• Where you choose to undergo your treatment – in a private or a public healthcare facility
• If you have insurance coverage

 

The cost of blood cancer treatment may be higher if you opt for a private healthcare facility. The treatment may also be expensive for people who do not have insurance coverage for their blood cancer treatment. 

 

Feeling worried about the financial implications of your blood cancer treatment is natural. Discuss any concerns regarding your treatment or the cost of treatment with your doctor or healthcare team.

 

Other Treatments for Blood Cancer

The treatment option for blood cancer depends upon its type, grade, the extent of spread, age and overall health. Standard treatment options for the different types of blood cancers are:

 

• Stem cell transplantation

This treatment infuses healthy stem cells (blood-forming cells) into the body to replace the defective cancer-forming ones. Stem cells can be collected from the bone marrow of healthy bones, circulating blood or umbilical cord blood.

 

• Chemotherapy

Potent anti-cancer drugs are injected into the body to damage and kill the cancer cells and stop their growth. Most blood cancers require more than one drug to be injected intravenously (injected into a vein) or given as a pill. Chemotherapy is almost always given before a stem cell transplant procedure.

 

• Radiation therapy

This treatment is used to destroy cancer cells and relieve symptoms of blood cancer like pain and discomfort. Radiation therapy may be given before a stem cell transplant.

Talk to Us

Do you need help finding a private blood cancer specialist, scheduling an appointment with UK’s best haemato-oncologists or getting a priority second opinion consultation? Reach out to Klarity Oncology today!