Treatment for Blood Cancer

Blood cancer is not a single disease but an umbrella term for various cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. The three main types—leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma—each have distinct characteristics, progression patterns, and treatment requirements. 

What sets blood cancers apart is that, unlike solid tumors, they often spread throughout the body from the start, making treatment approaches system-wide rather than localized. Early diagnosis and subtype identification play a critical role in shaping treatment decisions.

Treatment for blood cancer is not one-size-fits-all. It depends on several factors, including the type and subtype of cancer, genetic mutations, age, overall health, and the aggressiveness of the disease.

Let's discuss some of the treatment options available for Blood cancer along with its side effects. 

Chemotherapy for Blood Cancer

Chemotherapy uses powerful anti-cancer drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancerous ones in the blood and bone marrow. It's a cornerstone treatment for many blood cancers—particularly leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The drugs are given orally, intravenously, or through injections into the spine (intrathecal), depending on the type and stage of cancer. Treatment is usually delivered in cycles, allowing the body time to recover between sessions.

In aggressive blood cancers like acute leukemia, chemotherapy is often the first-line treatment and may be used intensively to induce remission. In slower-growing cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), it might be combined with targeted drugs or used only when symptoms become problematic. 

Some patients receive high-dose chemotherapy before a stem cell transplant to destroy remaining cancer cells and make room for new healthy cells.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

• Fatigue due to red blood cell loss (anemia)
• High risk of infection from low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bruising or bleeding easily due to low platelets
• Fertility issues (temporary or permanent)
• Cognitive changes ("chemo brain")
• Long-term risks like heart damage or secondary cancers (rare but possible depending on the drug used)

Targeted Therapy for Blood Cancer

Targeted therapy utilizes drugs specifically designed to block the growth & survival of cancer cells by targeting molecules or pathways unique to those cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects both cancerous and healthy rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapies are more precise. 

They can block signals that tell cancer cells to grow, prevent new blood vessels from forming to feed cancer, or flag the cells for destruction by the immune system. In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), for instance, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinib, are used to block the BCR-ABL gene fusion that drives the disease. 

In certain types of lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), drugs such as BTK inhibitors (e.g., ibrutinib) or BCL2 inhibitors (e.g., venetoclax) are used to disrupt the survival signals within cancer cells. These therapies can be taken orally and used alone or in combination with other treatments, including chemotherapy.

Side Effects of Targeted Therapy

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Skin rashes or dryness
• Mouth ulcers
• Risk of bleeding or bruising
• Increased risk of infections
• Liver function changes
• Muscle or joint pain
• Heart rhythm issues (with certain TKIs)

Note: Some side effects depend on the specific target and drug used. They may be milder than chemotherapy, but long-term monitoring is essential.

Immunotherapy for Blood Cancer

Immunotherapy improves the body's own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It is used in several blood cancers, particularly types of lymphoma and leukemia, and works through different mechanisms depending on the specific drug or treatment.

One common form is monoclonal antibodies—lab-made proteins that bind to specific markers (antigens) on cancer cells. marking the cells for destruction. Other immunotherapies include immune checkpoint inhibitors, which remove the "brakes" on T-cells so they can attack cancer more effectively.

A more advanced form is CAR-T cell therapy, where a patient's T cells are modified in a laboratory to better recognize and kill cancer cells. This has shown success in certain relapsed or treatment-resistant B-cell lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Side Effects of Immunotherapy

• Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, fatigue
• Infusion reactions (during monoclonal antibody treatments)
• Skin rashes or itching
• Low blood pressure
• Diarrhea or colitis (especially with checkpoint inhibitors)
• Inflammation of organs (lungs, liver, thyroid, etc.)
• Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in CAR-T therapy: high fever, low BP, breathing difficulty
• Neurotoxicity (CAR-T): confusion, seizures, or difficulty speaking (requires urgent care)

Note: Although immunotherapy offers numerous benefits, it is closely monitored due to the risk of immune system overactivation.

Radiation Therapy for Blood Cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams—usually X-rays or protons—to kill or damage cancer cells. While blood cancers often require systemic treatment, radiation is still helpful in some instances. 

It may be used to shrink tumors in the lymph nodes (especially in lymphomas), relieve bone pain in multiple myeloma, or target a specific area before or after a stem cell transplant.

In some forms of leukemia, total body irradiation (TBI) is used alongside high-dose chemotherapy to prepare the body for a stem cell transplant. For lymphomas, radiation is typically delivered externally to the affected lymph node regions and is carefully planned to minimize exposure to healthy tissues.

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

• Skin irritation, redness, or peeling over the treated area
• Fatigue
• Nausea, especially if the abdomen is treated
• Hair loss in the treatment field
• Dry mouth or sore throat (if head or neck is treated)
• Diarrhea (if the pelvic region is treated)
• Reduced blood cell counts (especially with total body irradiation)
• Long-term risk of secondary cancers in the treated area (rare but possible)
• Fertility problems (if reproductive organs are exposed)
• Lung or heart issues (if chest area is targeted)

Note: Side effects depend on the dose, area treated, and whether it's combined with other treatments.

Stem Cell Transplant for Blood Cancer

A stem cell transplant (also called a bone marrow transplant) is a procedure used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells. It allows doctors to use high-dose chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate cancer cells and then restore the patient's ability to produce healthy blood cells.

There are two main types

• Autologous transplant: the patient's own stem cells are collected, stored, and returned after intensive treatment. Common in myeloma and some lymphomas.
• Allogeneic transplant: stem cells come from a matched donor (a sibling, unrelated donor, or cord blood). This is used in more aggressive or high-risk leukemias and some lymphomas. It also introduces a "graft-versus-cancer" effect, where the new immune cells help attack residual cancer.

The process involves several stages: conditioning (chemotherapy ± radiation), stem cell infusion, and recovery. It requires strict infection control and close monitoring for weeks to months.

Side Effects of Stem Cell Transplant

• Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue from high-dose treatment
• Risk of serious infections due to low immunity during recovery
• Mouth sores and difficulty eating
• Anemia and bleeding
• Organ damage (especially liver, lungs, or kidneys) from toxicity
• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic transplants: donor cells attack the patient's tissues (skin, gut, liver)
• Infertility (may be permanent)
• Cataracts, bone thinning, or secondary cancers (long-term risks)
• Emotional stress and prolonged fatigue post-treatment

Clinical Trials in Blood Cancer Treatment

Clinical trials are carefully monitored research studies that test new treatments, combinations, or methods for managing blood cancer. These are not standard treatments but investigational options offered to eligible patients—often when conventional therapies are not effective or when the cancer is rare or high-risk. 

Trials may involve new drugs, new uses of existing drugs, or innovative approaches like gene therapy or vaccines.

Enrolling in a clinical trial can provide access to cutting-edge treatments years before they become widely available. However, it's not for everyone. Trials come with uncertainties—research treatments might not work or may have unknown side effects.

Participation is strictly voluntary, and patients are closely monitored throughout the process. Eligibility depends on the type of cancer, its stage, previous treatments, and overall health.

Side Effects and Considerations in Clinical Trials

• Potential for unknown or more severe side effects
• Frequent hospital visits for monitoring and testing
• Possible need to stop trial early if risks outweigh benefits
• Emotional stress from uncertainty or lack of results
• In some cases, the new treatment may be more effective or provide longer control than standard options.

Important Note:

Clinical trials are not a substitute for standard treatment. They are a step in scientific discovery, carrying both potential and risk. Any decision to join should be made with complete understanding after discussing it with one's oncologist and care team.

Living with Blood Cancer

A diagnosis of blood cancer is never just medical—it's deeply personal. It affects not only the body but also the mind, relationships, finances, and future plans. Patients often describe the experience as a rollercoaster, marked by anxiety, uncertainty, and moments of isolation. 

Even in remission, many carry the emotional weight of the disease, fearing relapse or struggling to feel "normal" again.

That's why emotional and psychological support is not optional—it's part of treatment. Whether it's through counseling, peer support groups, family therapy, or simply having open conversations with trusted people, patients need space to process what they're going through. 

Young patients may need help navigating education or career goals; older ones may face identity shifts. Caregivers, too, require support—they carry invisible burdens while trying to stay strong.

Living with blood cancer means adjusting to new routines, managing side effects, and being patient with recovery. It requires courage on days when the body is tired and clarity on days when decisions must be made. 

But with the proper medical care and emotional support, many people find a way to live meaningfully—sometimes even more intentionally—through and beyond cancer.

Sterling Hospital is Your Partner in Health Across Gujarat

At Sterling Hospital, we provide you with the utmost care and comfort throughout your journey to a healthier and brighter life. We've got you if you are looking for the best oncologist in ​​Ahmedabad-Gurukul, Ahmedabad-Sindhu Bhavan,Vadodara-Bhayli, Vadodara-Race Course Road, or Rajkot. With considerable years of experience, we have built a team of the best oncologists in these regions to provide you with premium treatment and the best results. Contact Sterling Hospital to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey towards a healthier future.