Blood Cancer Warning Signs: Symptoms of blood cancer are not always clearly visible in the beginning. In some cases, its early signs can be found in a routine blood test, while the person does not feel any problem. Diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma can affect the way blood cells are formed, numbered, or functioning. Understanding the meaning of certain changes in blood test reports can help ensure that any abnormal results are properly investigated and not ignored.
When symptoms appear for no apparent reason, it is important to pay attention
There can be many reasons for persistent symptoms. These are not necessarily signs of blood cancer. However, if these symptoms persist for a long time for no apparent reason, it may be worth checking with a doctor.
Do not ignore these symptoms and consult a doctor:
- Constantly feeling tired and weak or feeling tired without any reason.
- Frequent infections or fever for no apparent reason.
- Abnormally blue marks or bleeding on the body.
- Swelling of lymph nodes (lymph glands) and lasting for a long time.
- Unexplained weight loss or persistent pain in the bones.
Blood tests are often one of the initial diagnostic procedures. This can reveal changes in the blood that cannot be understood based on symptoms alone.
What can a routine blood test reveal?
Complete blood count (CBC) is a simple blood test that provides information about hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets. Some changes in their quantity may be an early indication that further investigation is needed.
Changes found in blood test that may require investigation:
- Prolonged anemia (blood deficiency) without any apparent reason.
- The number of white blood cells being much higher or lower than normal.
- Decrease in platelet count.
- Abnormal changes in the number of more than one type of blood cells.
These changes do not mean that the person has blood cancer. Such changes can also occur due to infection, nutritional deficiencies, drug effects, autoimmune diseases and other health problems. The severity of these changes depends on how abnormal they are and the person’s other health conditions.
Not just a number, pay attention to the changes in blood test also.
Rather than looking at just one abnormal result in a blood test, it is more important to understand the pattern of changes in the blood test. When changes in more than one type of blood cell are seen, such as low hemoglobin and platelets or abnormal white blood cell counts, the doctor may recommend further testing.
Changes in blood test reports over time also matter. A single abnormal report does not confirm any disease. But if any change persists or its cause is not clear, then it should not be ignored. In such a situation, it is important to get a proper examination done by a doctor.
What further tests can the doctor recommend?
Depending on the symptoms and blood test reports, the doctor may recommend repeat CBC with differential count, peripheral blood smear or some other lab tests. In some cases, imaging tests or examination of lymph nodes may also be necessary.
If the test suggests a blood or bone marrow disease, the doctor may recommend a bone marrow test, flow cytometry, cytogenetic test, or molecular test. Which test is necessary depends on the health of the person and his report.
Why is it important to get tested on time?
Regular health checkups can help in detecting diseases in time. Especially when the changes in the body persist for a long time and are not ignored.
Routine blood tests aren’t the only way to detect every type of blood cancer, but they may detect changes that require further investigation.
Detecting the disease at the right time helps in deciding the treatment according to its type and condition. Modern techniques like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplant have increased the treatment options for blood cancer. Therefore, timely detection of the disease and getting the right treatment can play an important role in better health outcomes of the patient.