What are the Last Stage Symptoms of Blood Cancer?

A Note on Last Stage Symptoms of Blood Cancer

Blood cancer, also known as Hematologic cancer, affects the bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system of an individual. There are different types of Blood cancer that can affect individuals, namely Myeloma, Lymphoma, and Leukaemia. During the early stages of blood cancer, the symptoms are manageable by treatment, but as it progresses towards the final stage, the body resists therapy.

In the final stage of blood cancer, knowing about the symptoms becomes important for loved ones and caregivers, as it helps to provide proper emotional support during such vital times.

Common Last Stage Symptoms of Blood Cancer

Here is an overview of some symptoms which are evident during the last stage of Blood Cancer:

Severe Weakness and Fatigue

Feeling extremely weak is a usual late-stage symptom. The cancer cells replace the healthy red blood cells, leading to anaemia. This causes persistent weakness, exhaustion and difficulty in performing simple tasks.

Frequent Infections

The immune system becomes weak during the late stage because the white blood cells are either too few or dysfunctional. Patients frequently experience lingering and repeated infections, such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and other life-threatening conditions.

Bone and Joint Pain

As the cancer spreads throughout the bone marrow, it leads to deep, persistent pain in the bones and joints. This is very common in myeloma and leukaemia. In such conditions, the bone marrow becomes infiltrated by cancerous cells.

Uncontrolled Bruising and Bleeding

Blood cancers lead to extremely low platelet counts, impairing the ability of blood to clot. It results in many spontaneous bruises, bleeding gums, and nosebleeds and even leads to internal bleeding. The small cuts also take an unusually long time to heal.

Extreme Loss

Patients with blood cancer suffer from extreme weight loss. This is because in the terminal stage, the patient’s appetite decreases, and many also struggle to eat or drink. Sometimes, these people also require assistance with feeding and nutritional support.

Changes in Skin

If the liver is involved, yellowing of the skin and eyes (Jaundice) may be observed. An individual can also get pale skin from anaemia and small red or purple spots due to a low count of blood platelets.

Neurological Symptoms

In the advanced stages, this type of cancer affects the spinal cord and brain. Patients can experience loss of memory, confusion, headaches, seizures and even personality changes. Caretakers must be mindful of these changes and treat them delicately with palliative care.

Psychological and Emotional Changes

Experiencing depression, anxiety, and emotional withdrawal is also common for patients who are in the late stage of Blood cancer. Feelings of restlessness or cognitive decline are also evident in patients during their final days.

By understanding the last stages of blood cancer, caregivers can prepare for what is to come and provide compassion and support. While the late-stage journey is difficult, timely recognition and proper care can ensure the patient experiences as much peace and comfort as possible.