Exploring the Link: What Type of Cancer Causes Low Hemoglobin Levels?
By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Did you know that some of the very commonly tested parameters of routine blood tests can indicate a serious underlying illness like cancers. Uncovering this connection can help in early diagnosis and prompt treatment for many.
Let’s start this journey together. We’ll talk about what hemoglobin is and why it matters. We’ll look at different cancers, and how cancers can lead to low hemoglobin levels? We will discuss treatments and their effects, symptoms to watch for, coping methods, and long-term outcomes.
Haemoglobin is made up of iron(haem) and protein (globin). It takes oxygen to all parts of your body. Without it, our organs couldn’t work like they’re supposed to.
Now, let’s link anemia and cancer together. We’ll look at it from a medical angle. Why do anemia and cancer often go hand-in-hand?
Iron deficiency anemia lowers the number of healthy red blood cells. This kind of anemia often goes with cancer. Some cancers affect the quality and quantity of red blood cells, leading to anemia. Also, chemotherapy can slow down the making of new blood cells.
Low haemoglobin levels can be caused by various cancers, including leukaemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. These types of cancers can cause anaemia by destroying or preventing the production of healthy red blood cells. However, even cancer treatment produces low haemoglobin because the drugs used help cancer cause bone marrow suppression.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka – MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
Did you know ?
Low hemoglobin is a complex issue, with each part telling a different story. We need to separate naturally low levels from those tied to diseases or conditions.
A small dip in hemoglobin levels doesn’t always ring alarm bells. For example, women who are menstruating or pregnant often have lower hemoglobin counts.These can be managed well with adequate diet and iron supplements prescribed by a doctor.
Other causes can be-
By exploring specific diseases and conditions, we gain more insight into low hemoglobin and its link to various cancers.
Let’s get into how low hemoglobin and different cancers are intertwined.
These kinds of cancers attack the making and working of blood cells, resulting in anaemia. Blood cells are made by the bone marrow; when cancer affects the bone marrow, it starts producing abnormal numbers and poor quality blood cells which fail to perform their functions.
In cases of cervical cancer, abnormal cell growth in the cervix can lead to bleeding, iron deficiency, and anemia.
Colon cancer can cause anemia by making tumors grow on or in red blood cell-carrying vessels. Colo-rectal cancers often lead to bleeding which may be a reason for anemia due to blood loss.
Kidney cancer messes with the making of a hormone called erythropoietin, which helps in the production of red blood cells. This leads to anemia.
Prostate cancer can cause bleeding leading to anemia. It can also affect the production of red blood cells if it spreads to the bones.
The table below discusses how each cancer type could be connected to low hemoglobin.
| Cancer Type | Association with Low Hemoglobin |
|---|---|
| Blood and Bone Marrow | Affects the production and workings of red blood cells. |
| Cervical | Causes bleeding and iron deficiency leading to anemia. |
| Colon | Causes tumor formation leading to anemia. |
| Kidney | Interferes with red blood cell production resulting in anemia. |
| Prostate | Can cause bleeding and affect red blood cell production. |
Cancers and the associated chemotherapies are a common cause of inflammation and a consequent reduced red blood cell count amounting to reduced haemoglobin. On the other hand, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and polycythemia vera — a rare type of blood cancer can cause a rise in haemoglobin levels.
Dr Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
To diagnose both anemia and cancer, a medical check-up, including blood tests, is the first thing to do. Based on this, further tests may be needed.
To treat anemia and cancer, using the right mix of medication and personal habit changes is key.
Consult a hematologist if you suffer from very low hemoglobin levels. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications rich in iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12, contingent on the root cause. Severe cases may necessitate blood transfusions.
If there’s a lot of bleeding, surgery to cure the underlying cause of bleeding may be suggested.
For iron-deficiency anemia, iron pills, tonic or intravenous iron might be given. If it’s due to a B12 or folate shortage, vitamin pills are also suggested.
If the body isn’t responding to other treatments or if your child loses a lot of blood, a blood transfusion may be an option.
Consult a hemoato-oncologist or nearest cancer hospital if your primary healthcare provider suspects cancer. Cancer treatment may require multi-dimensional approaches to control the spread of cancer.
Surgery is a common treatment option for cancer that involves the removal of tumors or cancerous tissues from the body. Depending on the type, size, and stage of cancer, surgical procedures can vary from minimally invasive techniques to more extensive operations. Surgery aims to eliminate or reduce the spread of cancer and can be curative or used to relieve symptoms.
Chemotherapy is a systemic cancer treatment involving the use of powerful drugs to destroy or inhibit the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells. These drugs can target cancer cells throughout the body, even those that have spread. Chemotherapy is administered through various methods such as intravenous infusions, oral pills, or injections. While effective at killing cancer cells, it can also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects like nausea, fatigue, and hair loss.
They are often used in combination with other treatments and are tailored to the patient’s unique genetic and molecular profile. Targeted therapy aims to disrupt cancer’s progression by interfering with specific cellular processes critical for its survival and growth.
Immunotherapy is an innovative cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It involves using substances, such as checkpoint inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies, to stimulate the immune response against cancer. Immunotherapy aims to overcome the strategies cancer cells use to evade detection and destruction by the immune system.
This uses radiowaves targeted at the affected region of body to destroy cancerous cells.
An oncologist can advise the best suited course of treatment depending on the type and stage of cancer.
In the tables below, treatment options for anemia and cancer are summarized.
| Anemia Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Surgical Options | Could address issues with extreme bleeding |
| Medications | Iron, B12, or folate supplements could correct deficiencies |
| Blood Transfusions | Could replace lost blood or cases that aren’t responding |
| Cancer Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Surgery Options | Depending on cancer type and stage |
| Chemotherapy | Uses drugs to kill cancer cells |
| Targeted Therapy | Targets changes in cancer cells helping them grow |
| Immunotherapy | Strengthens the body’s natural defenses to combat cancer |
| Radiotherapy | Kills cancerous cells |
Derranged haemoglobin and other counts in a CBC are often helpful in leading the diagnosis of cancers, especially the ones related to blood cells and bone marrow. Unusually low or high counts of blood cells n CBC should be discussed with a doctor without delay.
Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Treating cancer, especially with chemotherapy, can sometimes lead to lower hemoglobin levels.
Chemotherapy affects all fast-growing cells, which include those in the bone marrow that make new blood cells. This can also cause anaemia.
After treatment, managing anemia well becomes essential. Quick recovery might mean changing one’s diet, more iron or vitamin B12 supplements, and even blood transfusions if needed.
Handling anemia while dealing with cancer is more like a marathon than a sprint. Let’s look at long-term views and effective coping strategies.
Dealing with anemia while fighting cancer is doubly hard. From detailed diet changes to keeping a positive mindset, every little thing helps.
Patients dealing with both anemia and cancer will have different long-term outcomes based on cause and severity. Good follow-up and customized care plans can make a major difference.
Here’s a diagram summarizing these strategies:
| Strategy | Application |
|---|---|
| Coping | Changes in diet, staying positive |
| Outlook | Follow-up, custom care plans |
This deep dive into the link between low hemoglobin and various cancers highlights an overlooked but key connection. The symptoms and disease paths often overlap. So, discussing anemia and cancer together is vital. We need input from doctors, researchers, and patients.
Regular check-ups and regular cancer checks can find problems early. Knowing early can lead to better treatment results and outcomes.
At the end of the day, clear communication bridges the gap between how we see things and how they are. Knowledge paves the way for prevention, accurate diagnoses, and successful treatment.
In conclusion, with this post, we’ve aimed to explain a complex but crucial connection between low hemoglobin and various kinds of cancer. An understanding of this topic, along with insights from your healthcare provider, can help you handle these conditions in an informed and proactive manner. So, keep learning, stay alert, and face challenges head-on.
Also Read: What Causes High Red Blood Cell Count: Insights Into Hematological Disorders
Not always. While many types of cancer can lead to low hemoglobin levels, many other non-cancerous conditions can also cause anemia.
Yes, certain cancers link more strongly with anemia. These mainly consist of blood, bone marrow, cervical, colon and kidney cancer.
Non-cancerous conditions that link to low hemoglobin include heavy menstrual bleeding, autoimmune diseases, chronic diseases, vitamin and iron deficiencies, and inherited blood problems.
While leukemia can cause anemia, having slightly low hemoglobin does not necessarily mean you have leukemia. It’s important to get a correct diagnosis from a doctor.
Yes, especially chemotherapy, as it has an effect on all cells that grow quickly, including red blood cells. So, chemotherapy often results in anemia.
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