The bone marrow diseases They occur because there is a problem in one of the cell types described. The causes of these problems are diverse in nature and include both genetic and environmental factors. For example, in leukemia the white blood cells do not work well.
To check for any type of marrow disease, tests of both blood and the marrow itself are usually performed. Treatment depends on the type of disease and its severity, but ranges from medications to blood transfusions or bone marrow transplantation..
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found inside some of the bones, such as those in the hip or thigh. This tissue contains stem cells that can develop into any type of blood cell..
Stem cells created by the marrow are transformed into red blood cells that carry oxygen; in white blood cells that are part of the immune system and act against infections; and in platelets that serve to plug wounds by clotting blood.
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Leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs in the white blood cells, which is why it is also known as white blood cell cancer. As in all cancers, the disease occurs because too many cells are created in an uncontrolled way.
White blood cells, which can be granulocytes or lymphocytes, develop in the bone marrow from stem cells. The problem that occurs in leukemia is that stem cells are not able to mature into white blood cells, they remain in an intermediate step called leukemia cells.
Leukemic cells do not degenerate, so they continue to grow and multiply uncontrollably, occupying the space of red blood cells and platelets. Therefore, these cells do not perform the function of white blood cells and, in addition, prevent the proper functioning of the rest of the blood cells..
The main symptoms suffered by patients with leukemia are bruising and / or bleeding with any blow and the continuous feeling of being tired or weak..
In addition, they may suffer the following symptoms:
The prognosis of this disease is better the fewer stem cells have been transformed into leukemic cells, therefore, it is very important to see a doctor if you feel some of the symptoms to make an early diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the type of leukemia, the age, and the characteristics of the patient. Possible treatments include the following:
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) include a number of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood. The main problem with these syndromes is that the bone marrow produces fewer and fewer blood cells, even stopping production altogether..
Patients with MDS can suffer from:
There are several types of MDS, some are mild and can be easily treated, while others are serious and can even progress to a leukemia called acute myelogenous leukemia..
Most of the people who suffer from this disease are over 60 years old, although it can appear at any age. Some factors can increase the likelihood of this disease, such as exposure to industrial chemicals or radiation. In some cases, MDS is caused by chemotherapy treatment that the person was taking to treat another disease..
Symptoms depend on the severity of the disease. It is usual that at the beginning of the disease no symptoms are felt and, nevertheless, the disease is diagnosed because problems are found in a routine analysis. That is why it is very important to get regular check-ups.
The general symptoms are similar to those of leukemia and include tiredness, shortness of breath, paleness, easy to get infections and to bleed ...
Treatment usually begins with drugs and chemotherapy, although in many cases a blood transfusion or bone marrow transplant is necessary..
Myeloproliferative disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the excessive production of one or more types of blood cells (red, white or platelets).
Patients with these types of disorders are more likely to suffer thrombi and bleeding. In addition, they may end up developing acute leukemia due to both the underlying disease and the treatment..
The symptoms and signs that patients with these disorders may suffer are the following:
Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disease that can be very dangerous. This disease is characterized by the fact that the bone marrow of people with aplastic anemia is unable to produce enough blood cells.
This disease occurs because the stem cells of the bone marrow are damaged. There are various factors that can affect stem cells, in addition these conditions can be both hereditary and acquired, although in many cases it is not known what the cause is..
Among the acquired causes we can find the following:
This disorder is progressive, therefore, the symptoms get worse as time passes.
At the onset of the disease, people diagnosed with aplastic anemia experience symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, they may have heart problems such as arrhythmia or heart failure. In addition, they can suffer infections and frequent bleeding.
The diagnosis of this disease is established based on the personal and family history of the person, a medical examination and some medical tests such as blood tests.
Treatment must be individualized for the person, but in general, it usually includes blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants and / or medicines..
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when red blood cell levels are very low or not working well. This type of anemia is the most common and is characterized by the fact that the cells of our body do not receive enough iron through the blood..
The body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein that is responsible for transporting oxygen through the bloodstream. Without this protein, the organs and muscles do not receive enough oxygen, this prevents them from burning nutrients for energy and, therefore, they cannot function efficiently. In short, the lack of iron in the blood causes the muscles and organs to not work properly.
Many of the people who suffer from anemia do not even realize that they have any problems. Women are at higher risk for this type of anemia due to blood loss during menstruation or pregnancy.
This disease can also occur because the person does not get enough iron in their diet or due to some intestinal diseases that cause problems absorbing iron.
Treatment depends on why the anemia was caused, but usually includes a change in diet and iron supplements..
Plasma cell neoplasms are diseases characterized by the fact that the bone marrow makes too many cells of this type. Plasma cells develop from B lymphocytes, which in turn have matured from stem cells.
When external agents (such as viruses or bacteria) enter our body, lymphocytes usually become plasma cells, since they create antibodies to fight infection.
The problem for people who suffer from any of these disorders is that their plasma cells are damaged and divide uncontrollably, these damaged plasma cells are called myeloma cells.
In addition, myeloma cells give rise to a protein that is useless for the body, since it does not act against infections, the M protein. The high density of these proteins causes the blood to thicken. In addition, as they are useless, our body is continually discarding them, so they can cause kidney problems.
Continuous reproduction of plasma cells causes tumors to develop, which can be benign or can develop into cancer.
Neoplasms include the following conditions:
This pathology is mild, since abnormal cells represent less than 10% of blood cells and do not usually develop cancer. In most cases, patients do not notice any type of signs or symptoms. Although there are more serious cases in which they can suffer nerve, heart or kidney problems.
In this disease, abnormal cells (myelomas) are stored in the same place, creating a single tumor called a plasmacytoma. There are two types of plasmacytomas:
This is the most serious type of neoplasm, since the uncontrolled production of myelomas produces multiple tumors that can affect the bone marrow, causing it to produce fewer blood cells (red, white blood cells or platelets).
In some cases, no symptoms are felt at the beginning of the disease, so it is highly recommended to have blood and urine tests regularly and see a doctor if you suffer any of these symptoms:
If tumors occur in the bones, they can cause hypercalcemia, that is, too much calcium in the blood. This condition can cause serious problems such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, thirst, frequent urination, constipation, tiredness, muscle weakness, and confusion or difficulty concentrating..
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