Leukemia (widely known as blood cancer) is a type of cancer found in blood and bone marrow. It is caused by rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. The large amount of white blood cells cannot fight the infection. Large amount of white blood cells also damage the capability of producing red blood cells and platelets.

Lymphoma is  a type of blood cancer which affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a system which removes excess fluids from the body and produces white blood cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that fight infection. Abnormal lymphocytes cells become lymphoma cells. Lymphoma cells multiply and collect in the lymph nodes and other tissues. With time, these cancerous cells damage the immune system. 

Myeloma is the cancer of plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that produces diseases. Myeloma cells prevent creation of antibodies. This makes the immune system weakened and vulnerable to diseases.

Health history is a record of any symptoms the patient has had in the past. Doctors will ask  questions relating to  family history  such as: blood disorder, exposure of high doses of radiation, any viral infections,etc. During a physical exam, doctor will: check  skin for bruising/paleness, feel areas of the neck, underarm and groin for any swollen, or enlarged, lymph nodes, shortness of breath rapid heartbeat, etc.

CBC or Complete blood count measures the amount/ quality of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets inside the patient's body.

This test shows how efficiently certain organs are operating, finding abnormalities. This test is done by measuring certain chemicals in patients blood. This test provides information to doctor about any problems in the liver and kidney, which are caused by spread of cancer cells. Some chemicals used are: uric acid, blood urea nitrogen,etc.

This procedure tells the doctor how well the person's blood can clot blood. Abnormal blood clot usually is caused by leukemia. The tests that are done are: fibrinogen level, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, and partial thromboplastin time.

Cytochemistry is a test which helps doctors what type of cells are present in the body. Cytochemistry uses stains to identify tissue structures ,components in blood, or bone marrow cells. Some stains are attracted to certain substances found in types of leukemia cells.

This is the study of proteins expressed by cells. Immunophenotyping is used to find out the type of leukemia a patient is diagnosed with. This procedure uses specific antigen-antibody reaction to identify proteins in tissues or cells. The antibody used is monoclonal antibodies which is marked by a fluorescent label. The fluorescent helps doctors to see the leukemia cells.

 

Immunohistochemistry is a test that allows doctors to look at cells and everything around it.

Flow cytometry is a technique used to sort and classify cells using fluorescent labels on their surface. Flow cytometry helps  define unique features of leukemia cells. These features can help doctors create a prognosis. These features also measure response to treatment using minimal residual disease . MRD means that there are blasts in the bone marrow that can’t be found using standard lab tests, rather found using more sensitive tests .

During this test, cells are removed from bone marrow and tested. This test affirm whether there are leukemia cells. If there are any leukemia cells, the type of leukemia will be confirmed after the test.

A lumbar puncture removes a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid from the space around the spine so doctors can look at it through a microscope. The lumbar puncture test tells the doctor whether cancer has spread to the spinal fluid.

MRI, also known as Magnetic resonance imaging,  uses powerful magnetic forces and radiofrequency waves to make images of organs, tissues, bones and blood vessels. MRI is most often used when doctors thinks the leukemia has spread to the patient's brain.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of structures in the body. It is used to see if organs such as: kidneys, or liver are or have been affected by leukemia.

 

Chemotherapy is the treatment doctor predominantly choose for the people who are diagnosed with leukemia. Chemotherapy is the treatment when drugs are used to kill or prevent cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.

Radiation therapy is a treatment for cancer which involves using large amounts of radiation to kill cancer cells, and shrink tumours.

Stem cell transplant is a form of cancer treatment predominantly used for curing leukemia. Most stem cells are found in the bone marrow. The stem cells in the bone marrow turn into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If the bone marrow is damaged, it can’t make normal blood cells.  A stem cell transplant places healthy stem cells in the body to help the bone marrow start to work properly. The new stem cells make healthy blood cells.

Biological therapy is a treatment for blood cancer. It uses portions of body’s immune system to treat the patients disease. Biological therapy is also used to prevent some side effects for certain diseases. This therapy involves the use of a substance called biological response modifiers. Biological response modifiers build in our bodys, but a small amount. Scientists create large amounts of biological response modifiers to treat the cancer.

Targeted therapy is another cancer cure which uses drugs. Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapy targets certain genes, proteins, and tissues which contribute to cancer growth.