The Diseases of the bone marrow Occur because there is a problem in one of the cell types described. For example, in white blood cells (WBC), white blood cells do not work well.
The causes of these problems are of a different nature and include both genetic and environmental factors.
To check for any kind of marrow disease, blood and marrow tests are usually done. Treatment depends on the type of illness and the severity level of the disease, but it ranges from medications to blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants.
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue that is found inside some of the bones, such as the hip or thigh. This tissue contains stem cells that can grow into any type of blood cell.
The stem cells created by the marrow are transformed into oxygen-carrying red blood cells; In white blood cells that are part of the immune system and act against the infections and in platelets that serve to plug the wounds coagulating the blood.
Most Common Bone Marrow Diseases
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs in the white blood cells of the blood, so it is also known as white blood cell cancer. As in all cancers, the disease occurs because too many cells are created uncontrollably.
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 the stem cells are not able to mature into white blood cells, they stay in an intermediate step called leukemia cells.
The 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 correct functioning of the rest of blood cells.
The main symptoms of 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 from the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Pallor.
- Petechiae (flat spots under the skin caused by bleeding).
- Pain or feeling of satiety under the ribs on the left side.
The prognosis of this disease is better as fewer mother cells Have become leukemic cells, therefore, it is very important to see your doctor if you feel some of the symptoms to make an early diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the type of leukemia, age and patient characteristics. Possible treatments include the following:
- Chemotherapy.
- Directed therapy (molecularly).
- Radiotherapy.
- Stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) include a number of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood. The main problem of these syndromes is that the bone marrow each time produces less blood cells, even stopping production altogether.
Patients suffering from MDS may have:
- Anemia due to low levels of red blood cells.
- Infections as they increase the odds due to low levels of white blood cells.
- Bleeding due to low platelet levels.
There are several types of MDS, some are mild and can be easily treated, while others are serious and may even evolve into a leukemia called acute myelogenous leukemia.
Most people with this disease are over 60 years old, although it can appear at any age. Some factors can increase the likelihood of suffering from this disease, such as exposure to industrial chemicals or radiation. In some cases, the MDS is produced by the chemotherapy treatment that the person was following to treat another disease.
The symptoms depend on the severity of the disease. It is usual that at the onset of the disease no symptoms are felt and yet the disease is diagnosed because problems are found in a routine analytic. It is therefore very important to have periodic check-ups.
The general symptoms are similar to those of leukemia and include tiredness, shortness of breath, pallor, ease of infection and bleeding...
Treatment usually begins with medications and chemotherapy , Although in many cases a blood transfusion or a bone marrow transplant is necessary.
Myeloproliferative disorders
Myeloproliferative disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the excessive production of one or more types of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets).
Patients suffering from this type of disorder are more likely to have thrombi and bleeding. In addition, they may end up developing acute leukemia due to both underlying disease and treatment.
The symptoms and signs that can be experienced by patients who have these disorders are as follows:
- Tiredness and weakness.
- Weight loss, early satiety or even anorexia, especially if they suffer from chronic myelogenous leukemia or agnogenous myeloid metaplasia.
- Bruising, bleeding or thrombus easily.
- Inflammation and joint pain.
- Priapism , Tinnitus The stupidity of leucostasis.
- Petequias And / or ecchymosis (purple coloration).
- Spleen and / or palpable liver.
- Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis o Sweet's syndrome (Fever and painful injuries to the trunk, arms, legs and face).
4 - aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disease that can become very dangerous. This disease is characterized by the bone marrow of people suffering from aplastic anemia, is unable to produce enough blood cells.
This disease occurs because bone marrow stem cells are damaged. There are several factors that can affect the 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:
- Intoxication with substances such as pesticides, arsenic or benzene.
- To receive radiotherapy Or chemo.
- Take certain medications.
- Suffer some infections such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus or HIV.
- Suffer an autoimmune disease.
- Be pregnant.
This disorder is progressive, therefore, the symptoms are getting worse as time passes. At the onset of the disease, people diagnosed with aplastic anemia suffer from symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases they may have heart problems such as arrhythmia or heart failure. In addition, they can suffer frequent infections and bleeding.
The diagnosis of this disease is based on the personal and family history of the person, a medical examination and some medical tests such as blood tests.
The treatment should be individualized for the person, but in general, it usually includes blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants and / or medicines.
Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when red blood cell levels are very low or they do not work well. This type of anemia is the most common and is characterized because the cells of our body do not get 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 get enough oxygen, that prevents them from burning the nutrients to get energy and, therefore, can not function efficiently. In short, the lack of iron in the blood causes the muscles and organs to malfunction.
Many people who suffer from anemia do not even realize they have any problems. Women are at increased risk for this type of anemia due to blood loss during menstruation or pregnancy.
This disease can also occur because the person does not take enough iron in his diet or some intestinal diseases that cause problems absorbing iron.
Treatment depends on why the anemia has been caused, but usually involves a change of Diet and iron supplements .
6- Plasma cell neoplasia
Plasma cell neoplasms are diseases that are characterized because the bone marrow makes too many cells of this type. Plasma cells are developed from B lymphocytes , Which in turn have matured from stem cells.
When some external agent (such as viruses or bacteria) enter our body, lymphocytes usually become plasma cells, because they create antibodies to fight infection.
The problem for people suffering from 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, protein M. The high density of these proteins causes the blood to thicken. Also, because they are useless, our body is continually discarding them, so they can cause kidney problems.
Continuous reproduction of plasma cells causes tumors to appear, which may be benign or may develop in cancer.
Neoplasms include the following conditions:
- Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MSG). This pathology is mild, as 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 sign or symptom. Although there are more serious cases in which they can suffer nervous, cardiac or renal affections.
- Plasmocytoma. In this disease, anomar cells (myelomas) are stored in the same site, so they create a single tumor called plasmacytoma. There are two types of plasmacytomas:
- Plasmacytoma of bone. In this type of plasmocytoma, as its name implies, the tumor is created around a bone. Patients usually do not notice other symptoms apart from those due to the tumor itself, such as fragility in the bones and localized pain, although in some cases it may be aggravated over time and may lead to the development of multiple myeloma.
- Extramedullary plasmacytoma. In this case, the tumor is not located in a bone, but in some soft tissue such as the throat, amygdala or paranasal sinuses. The symptoms suffered by patients with this type of plasmacytoma, depend on the exact location where the tumor is located. For example, a plasmacytoma in the throat may cause difficulties in swallowing.
- Multiple myeloma. 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 blood cells, white blood cells or platelets). Occasionally, no symptoms are felt at the onset of the disease, so it is highly recommended to have blood and urine tests on a regular basis and see if you have any of these symptoms:
- Pain located in the bones.
- Bone fragility.
- Fever without a known cause or frequent infections.
- Presence of bruising and bleeding with ease.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Weakness in extremities.
- Extreme and continuous tiredness.
If tumors occur in the bones they can cause Hypercalcemia , Ie 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.
References
- Bethematch.com. (S.f.). Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Recovered on May 30, 2016, from bethematch.com.
- (S.f.). Bone Marrow Diseases. Retrieved on May 30, 2016, from MedlinePlus.
- National Cancer Institute. (September 2013). What You Need To Know About Leukemia. Obtained from NIH.
- National Cancer Institute. (August 2015). Myelodysplastic / Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Treatment (PDQ®) -Patient Version. Obtained from NIH.
- National Cancer Institute. (October 1, 2015). Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) Treatment (PDQ®) -Patient Version. Obtained from NIH.
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (August 22, 2012). What Is Aplastic Anemia? Obtained from NIH.
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (March 26, 2014). What Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? Obtained from NIH.
- Rasool, H., Talavera, F., & Besa, E. (February 26, 2016). Myeloproliferative Disease. Obtained from Medscape.