Hematologic Cancer

Hematologic (Blood) Cancer Treatment at Garnet Health

As a newly diagnosed hematologic cancer patient, you understandably need some time to come to terms with the journey ahead. Your first and most important step is educating yourself and exploring all of your options. At Garnet Health, we empower our patients to take charge of their care and make the best possible treatment decisions.

During this challenging time, you need reliable advice, along with a guiding hand and listening ear. At Garnet Health, our hematologic cancer specialists offer the latest treatment options for all types of hematologic cancer in a nurturing healing environment.

What Is Hematologic Cancer?

Also known as blood cancer, hematologic cancer develops in your body’s blood-forming tissues or immune cells. As the cancerous cells grow, they can crowd out healthy cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Some types of hematologic cancer include:

• Leukemia – Arises when your body produces too many abnormal white blood cells, which then interfere with your bone marrow’s ability to create red blood cells and platelets
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – Originates in your lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight off infections
• Hodgkin lymphoma – Characterized by the presence of large abnormal lymphocytes known as Reed-Sternberg cells
• Multiple myeloma – Begins in your plasma cells, a type of white blood cell produced by your bone marrow

Hematologic Cancer Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Symptoms

Many symptoms of hematologic cancer result from lower-than-normal amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells and/or platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, and a low red blood cell count can lead to anemia. Some symptoms include:

• Weakness and fatigue
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Pale skin
• Cold hands or feet

White blood cells are your body’s first line of defense against infection. A low white blood cell count can cause:

• Persistent or recurrent infections
• Fever, chills and sweating
• Fatigue
• Mouth sores
• Sore throat

Platelets help your blood clot and promote injury healing. A low platelet count can cause:

• Easy bleeding
• Frequent bruising
• Bloody urine
• Small red spots on your skin (petechiae)
• Fatigue

Many symptoms of hematologic cancer can also be caused by other, less serious conditions, so it is important to be evaluated by a Garnet Health specialist who can determine their source. If you have symptoms that concern you, we encourage you to request an appointment with a hematologic cancer specialist at Garnet Health. Our specialists and services are conveniently nearby in  Orange and Sullivan County. 

Causes

Like all malignancies, hematologic cancer occurs when certain cells undergo abnormal changes that cause them to grow and divide very rapidly. The cancerous cells, which do not function or support your body like healthy cells, eventually crowd out and overtake the healthy cells.
Scientists have not yet determined the precise causes of hematologic cancer, although research shows that certain factors can increase the risk. Risk factors for hematologic cancer include:

• Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene
• Exposure to high doses of radiation
• Chronic inflammation
• Certain inherited syndromes, such as Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome and Down syndrome
• Tobacco use

Treatment

Your hematologic cancer treatment plan will be customized, just for you, based on the type and stage of your cancer, the areas of your body affected, your age, care preferences and other factors. Some common blood cancer treatments include:

• Chemotherapy – Powerful anti-cancer medications are taken orally or delivered intravenously to stop or interfere with the growth of rapidly dividing cells. 
• Radiation therapy – High-energy beams are directed at cancerous cells to damage their DNA and restrict their growth.
• Stem cell transplantation – After a high-dose chemotherapy regimen is administered to destroy cancerous cells, stem cells are delivered intravenously. By traveling through the bloodstream, the stem cells can reach the bone marrow and produce new blood cells.

Providing Exceptional Care in the Hudson Valley

At Garnet Health, we believe it is important for our patients to remain close to home while receiving outstanding specialty care, and our convenient locations enable residents of Orange and Sullivan Counties to do just that. With advanced screening and diagnostic services, leading-edge treatment options, innovative research, support and survivorship programs and caring professionals dedicated to helping you attain your best quality of life, Garnet Health has everything you need to take on hematologic cancer without leaving the Hudson Valley.

Garnet Health provides comprehensive diagnostic, treatment and supportive care services for hematologic cancer in Orange and Sullivan Counties, including Middletown, Harris and Callicoon, NY.