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Bone marrow cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow, which is the soft center inside bones. Bone marrow produces blood cells and plays an important role in immunity. The most common type of bone marrow cancer is leukemia, but other types such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma and sarcoma can also start there.
Symptoms usually depend on where the cancer started within the bone marrow and what kind it is – some may not have any at all or they might be mild. Common symptoms include tiredness, weakness, weight loss, frequent infections or bleeding problems due to low platelet counts.
Bone marrow cancer is the general term used to describe any type of cancer that originates from cells found in the bone marrow. It is most commonly referred to as leukemia or lymphoma, and can be either acute or chronic in its progression. Acute forms are generally characterized by rapid onset and aggressive spread, while chronic forms usually progress slowly over a longer period of time.
Common symptoms may include fatigue, anemia, bruising or bleeding easily, weight loss, night sweats and fever. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests for abnormal cells along with imaging techniques such as X-rays and CT scans to rule out other causes. Treatment will usually involve chemotherapy or radiation therapy depending on the particular form present; however, research into new immunotherapies shows promise for some types of bone marrow cancer as well.
Bone marrow cancer is a rare form of cancer that begins in the cells responsible for producing blood. It can occur in any age group, but it’s most common in people over the age of 60. Symptoms vary depending on the type of bone marrow cancer, but some general signs include fatigue, weakness, anemia, frequent infections and bruising or bleeding easily.
Other more specific symptoms may include bone pain (particularly around the spine), weight loss and an enlarged spleen or liver. If you experience any of these symptoms seek medical attention immediately as early detection is critical to successful treatment.
The primary cause of bone marrow cancer is unknown, but there are several factors that may increase a person’s risk. These include having certain genetic conditions such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Down Syndrome or Fanconi anemia; undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments for another type of cancer; being exposed to certain chemicals such as benzene; and having a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation or chronic steroid use.
In addition, people with a family history of bone marrow cancer have an increased risk. While these factors can increase the likelihood of developing this condition, it does not mean that everyone who has one or more of these risks will get the disease. A diagnosis should be made only after proper testing and evaluation by a qualified medical professional.
The diagnosis of bone marrow cancer begins with a patient history and physical exam. Blood tests may be used to assess the patient’s overall health, including their blood counts, chemistry levels, and other markers that can indicate the presence of malignancy or infection.
A biopsy is usually performed to determine if there are any cancerous cells in the marrow sample. During this bone marrow transplant procedure, a small piece of bone is taken from the hipbone or other sites and examined under a microscope for signs of abnormal cell growth or changes in tissue structure.
Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and PET (positron emission tomography) scans may also be done to look for any abnormalities in the bones or surrounding tissues which could indicate cancer involvement. Bone marrow aspiration may also be carried out where a needle is inserted into the bone marrow to take samples from both healthy and unhealthy areas for further examination under a microscope.
The cost of a bone marrow transplant varies widely based on factors such as where the procedure is performed, if there are donor costs, and whether or not insurance covers any portion of the costs. Generally speaking, patients can expect to pay anywhere between $30,000 and $300,000 for a bone marrow transplant cost. This includes medical fees associated with pre-transplant testing, hospitalization during the transplant process itself and post-transplant monitoring afterwards.
Some centers may also charge additional fees for donor recruitment or laboratory tests that must be done before the procedure can take place. In instances where a patient does not have health insurance coverage or their plan does not cover these types of treatments then they will have to pay out-of-pocket for all expenses related to their treatment.
Additionally, some private insurance plans do provide partial coverage for certain aspects of bone marrow transplants so it is important to check with your carrier prior to beginning treatment in order to understand what type of reimbursement you may receive from them.
