Blood Cancer and Multiple Myeloma - Essay Example

 Blood Cancer And Multiple Myeloma Cancer is known as malignant neoplasm, the hallmark characteristic involves uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Under normal conditions cells grow, divide and die, but in a genetic defect called mutation occur in cancer cells leading to the formation of an abnormal DNA. As genes are the basic control machine of the cells, alteration of any kind may bring devastating consequences, or malignancy. When compared with the normal cells, where damage of any kind is taken care by the repair system, tumor cells do not have any repair mechanism for the damaged DNA and there is a constant proliferation of cells without displaying senescence hence, generating a series of abnormal cells, with altered cellular pathways for uncontrolled proliferation, figuring malignant tumors (Alberts 2007; Katzang et al. 2009). The present epoch witnesses the prevalence of numerous types of cancers which are a matter of great concern. However, a small trigger may convert proto-oncogene to active oncogene. However, all tumors do not turn out to be cancerous also all types of cancers do not generate tumor cells. Spread of cancer to different body parts is attributed to the circulatory system or the lymphatic system. The present article deals with the disabilities induced by cancer of blood encompassing cancer of blood forming tissues such as leukemia and bone marrow and cancer influencing immune system of the body such as myeloma and lymphoma (Web: "Patients with certain blood cancers eligible for Quick Disability Determination"). Mantle Cell Lymphoma is established as a stage IV disease possesses high rate of recurrences with the prognosis of 3 to 5 years. On the other hand, acute leukemia is responsible for gathering of undeveloped, out of circulation cells in the marrow and blood. This prevents marrow from generating normal cells. Chronic Myelogenous leukemia is prevalent in older adults. Onset is slow but when it reaches the blast phase it starts behaving like an acute leukemia. The situation is not only unbearable but also incurable where palliative treatment is provided by the doctors to alleviate symptoms ("Patients with certain blood cancers eligible for Quick Disability Determination"). The symptoms associated with blood cancer involves swelling of lymph nodes, fever, loss of weight, profuse sweating at night followed by chills and itching, weakness and energy deprivation (Web: "About Lymphoma"). Cancer is emerging as a major debilitating condition as well as a foremost cause of death. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells produced in the bone marrow. The plasma cells play an imperative role in immunity of the individual as they synthesize antibodies against the antigens. Loss of function of the plasma cells results in compromised immune system. The condition of multiple myeloma comprise bone pain, increased percentage of proteins as well as calcium in the urine and blood, infections associated with the condition involves pyelonephritis, pneumonia and kidney failure which could be either acute or chronic, normocytic or normochromic anemia, exhaustion, perplexity, extreme thirst, headache, impairment or weakness, carpel tunnel syndrome. Eventually, loss of bowel and bladder control occurs. As the plasma cells are affected in this condition, location of the plasma membrane i.e. bone tumors are formed in the bone marrow especially within the solid bone domains. The tumors obstruct the synthesis of RBCs, WBCs and platelets. As a result the individual becomes susceptible to various infectious diseases, anemia and atypical bleeding. The condition is considered to be disabling. It occurs more in men as compared to women (Web. "Facts About Multiple Myeloma and Filing for Disability"; "Multiple Myeloma and Social Security Disability"). As the disease progresses, it becomes more relentless and painful, causing annihilation or crushing of bones. However, spread of tumor cells further deteriorates the condition. For instance tumors located on spine may cause paralysis. Other conditions associated with multiple myeloma encompass shortness of breath, weakness of arms and legs as well as severe fatigue, the pain may exacerbate with activities. As myeloma can travel all the way through the blood they are capable of establishing them at any place away from its initial site. Thus, the situation is disabling (Web: "Facts About Multiple Myeloma and Filing for Disability"). The condition of is distressing and excruciating which influence the quality of life of the individual and also of those who are associated with the patient. The condition of myeloma does not allow the individual with normal pace and efficacy. The condition of inefficiency is not only symptomatic but it is also due to the adverse drug reactions of the prescribed medications required for the treatment. The condition is crippling and impedes in persuasion of normal work. This lack of ability to carry out job in a desired manner results in loss of income and deprived of health insurance which further aggravates stress in patient. Considering the implications of multiple myeloma on the patient, the Social Security Administration (SSA) medical Listings under section 13.07 categorized multiple myeloma as a certifying disabling condition (Web: "Multiple Myeloma and Social Security Disability"). Nevertheless, most of the cancers are measured under the section but for neoplasm which are found to be related with HIV infection and are categorized under Section 14.00 (Web. "Cancer and Social Security Disability"). Conclusion Cancer is a incapacitating condition in itself. However, with the recent advance in medical technology many cancer battles have been conquered if the diagnosis is done at an initial stage. Cancers related to blood such as lymphoma and myeloma spread their seeds through circulation and directly affects the main stream of the body. Lack of blood cells not only diminishes the oxygen and nutrient supply but also diminishes the immune system of the body. Scarcity of nutrition resistance reduce the efficacy of the person. With tumors generating pain and agony and block the path of blood cells the condition further deteriorates making the individual disable. Complete cure of these cancers cannot be accomplished even with the marrow transplantation. Since the condition influence the formation of blood cells and influence immunity of the body the patient with compromised immunity becomes prone to various infectious diseases which are not only crippling for the patient but also influence its every-day life and work. Inability to cope with the stress and carry out routine work due to frailty hinders in progress and immobilizes an individual. These symptoms are responsible for impairment and hence cancer of blood and multiple myeloma are considered as the disability condition. Work Cited "About Lymphoma". Web. 8 November 2013. . Alberts B., Johnson A., Lewis J., Raff M., Roberts K., &Walter P. "Molecular Biology of the Cell". 5th ed. Garland Science. 2007. "Cancer and Social Security Disability". Web. 8 November 2013. . "Facts About Multiple Myeloma and Filing for Disability". Web. 8 November 2013. . Katzang B.G., Masters S.B., &Trevor A.J. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited. p. 935- 937. 2009. "Multiple Myeloma and Social Security Disability". Web. 8 November 2013. . "Patients with certain blood cancers eligible for Quick Disability Determination". Web. 8 November 2013. . Read More