Blood cancer treatment in Singapore is characterized by a multi-disciplinary approach, leading to advanced medical technology and a wide range of therapeutic options. It is very reliable to get treatment for blood cancer, liver cancer, anal cancer, and bone marrow transplant, etc. The hospital in Singapore uses advanced and modern technology for surgery to achieve better outcomes. In this blog, we will study blood cancer treatment in Singapore, the procedure of blood cancer, and the benefits.
What Is Blood Cancer?
Blood cancer is a type of cancer that exists in the blood. It starts from the abnormal cell and damages the healthy cells in the blood, bone marrow, and Lymphatic system. They affect the healthy cells and disturb the function of blood cells. Blood cancer is divided into many categories, like leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma. All categories affect the different components of the blood and lymphatic system.
Types of Blood Cancer
Blood cancer consists of three major types: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Different ways these types of diseases affect the blood and bone marrow.
- Myeloma: Masses in the blood are the most common types of cancers that the hematologic system is made up of: leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas. How these types of diseases change the blood and bone marrow are numerous.
- Leukemia: A cancer that may be the first in the bone marrow or blood. Along with abnormal white cells that are produced at an extraordinarily high rate, it becomes very hard for normal blood cells to be produced.
- Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a cancer of white blood cells. It helps your body to fight against infection. It is also called a part of the immune system. It is considered a blood cancer because the condition starts in white blood cells in your lymphatic system.
Symptoms of Blood Cancer
Symptoms of blood cancer are different, but the usual signs are:
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Very tired or lack of strength
- Infections that happen often
- Bruising or bleeding that occurs easily
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Pain in bones or joints
- Pale skin
How Is Blood Cancer Diagnosed?
For the detection of blood cancer, physicians perform multiple tests as a set of investigations:
- Blood Tests: A routine blood test will indicate abnormal levels of cells and will assist doctors in deciding the presence of cancer or not.
- Bone Marrow Biopsy: The bone marrow is taken a sample from to examine it for cancer cells.
- Imaging Tests: The use of X-ray, CT, and MRI assists physicians in locating the area of cancer spread in the body.
Blood Cancer Treatment Options in Singapore
For blood cancer, Singapore brings in the best treatments in the world, and patients get the most effective care possible. The treatment that is going to be prescribed has to do with the type of cancer, its stage, and the general condition of the patient.
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a major method of treatment for blood cancer. It employs very strong drugs to kill or limit the growth of cancer cells. Usually, it is provided through injections or oral medication, and the patient may receive it along with other treatments.
2. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy consists of high-energy rays directed at cancer cells so as to kill them. It is possible for the therapy to be used in decreasing tumors or healing a certain area of the body, for instance, when a lymph node is swollen or the bone marrow.
3. Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant
By this operation, the broken bone marrow is replaced by the healthy stem cells. The patient can be the source of the stem cells or a donor. The transplant is primarily used for patients with leukemia and lymphoma who have been through various treatments and have not responded well.
4. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy essentially powers up the patient’s immune system so that it can combat the cancer with higher efficiency. It might be a process of using certain drugs or treatments that make the immune system find and kill cancer cells.
5. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is the one where drugs only affect cancerous cells and don’t harm healthy ones. This therapy is most likely to be used in the treatment of chronic leukemia and lymphoma.
Healthcare Facilities in Singapore
Singapore is widely recognized for its excellent healthcare system. The country has several hospitals that are specialists in cancer treatment, among which blood cancer takes an important place. The best hospitals in Singapore for blood cancer treatment are:
- National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS): As one of the top cancer centers in Asia, NCCS is the provider of a wide range of services to patients with blood cancer.
- Singapore General Hospital (SGH): SGH provides excellent cancer treatment, which also involves the setting up of a multidisciplinary team for hematology care.
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH): The hospital is the core of pediatric hematology in Singapore.
Cost of Blood Cancer Treatment in Singapore
The blood cancer treatment expenses range according to the kind of treatment and the hospital. Typically, the services offered at public hospitals in Singapore cost approximately $30,000; however, the private ones are more expensive, approximately $50,000 USD, but patients can have faster access to their services. Singaporeans and permanent residents may be eligible for subsidies, while foreigners can inquire at the clinics about the charges and payment plans.
Support Services for Patients
Treating blood cancer is a difficult task that affects the patient’s physical and emotional health. In Singapore, there is a range of support services available for patients to utilize:
- Counseling Services: Cancer patients, along with their families, receive emotional support through various hospitals’ counseling services.
- Support Groups: The groups help the patients to build relationships with others who are in the same situation as they are.
- Palliative Care: For the severely ill patients, palliative care is offered to relieve the symptoms and elevate the quality of life.
Conclusion
Blood cancer is a fatal disease. Most patients in Singapore can get better, go on with their usual life with no interruptions, and heal after they have been duly attended to. Among the many ways that the super-advanced healthcare system of Singapore can treat cancer there are chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and immunotherapy. Needless to say, healing would be feasible only when the illness was detected and treated correctly. As for blood cancer, the most effective action to take would be to visit a doctor for medical advice.