Unexplained Bruising During Weight Loss: Is It a Sign of Blood Disorders?
Bruise I have been dieting for a while, and recently I have been experiencing unexplained bruising on my body. I am concerned that my weight loss may have led to nutritional deficiencies resulting in blood disorders (such as anemia, low platelet count, or white blood cell issues)...
Dr. Chen Junyi Reply:
Please go to the hematology department for a blood draw.[Read More] Unexplained Bruising During Weight Loss: Is It a Sign of Blood Disorders?
Understanding Leukemia: Stages, Causes, and Treatment Options Explained
Leukemia Hello Doctor: My girlfriend has leukemia, and she mentioned that she has had it for many years. She told me that there are a total of four stages, and she is currently in stage three. Is this due to genetic factors, or what other reasons might contribute to it? Besides b...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. Causes: The majority of leukemia cases have unclear origins, while a small number can be attributed to specific factors: a. Radiation exposure, such as previous radiation therapy or exposure to radiation. b. Chemical agents, including certain chemotherapy drugs and sub...[Read More] Understanding Leukemia: Stages, Causes, and Treatment Options Explained
Understanding Severe Anemia: When to Consult a Hematologist
Severe anemia Hello Doctor: I am a lacto-vegetarian and have slight gastric and esophageal ulcers. My main issue during blood tests is anemia, with a hemoglobin level of 7.2, hematocrit of 26.7, mean corpuscular volume of 65.9, mean corpuscular hemoglobin of 17.8, and mean corpus...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello: It seems like iron deficiency anemia. Please visit the hematology clinic for an examination. After confirming the diagnosis, you can start treatment with iron supplements. Thank you![Read More] Understanding Severe Anemia: When to Consult a Hematologist
Understanding Chronic Leukemia: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Chronic leukemia Hello, doctor! I recently received my health check report. My blood pressure (systolic) is 96, blood pressure (diastolic) is 60, urine occult blood is (+-), red blood cell count is 387, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration is 33.1, platelet count is 416,000,...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
In cases of iron deficiency anemia, an increase in platelet count is often observed. Please visit the hematology department at the hospital for a definitive diagnosis and treatment; there is no need to worry too much.[Read More] Understanding Chronic Leukemia: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Can Severe Aplastic Anemia Be Cured or Require Long-Term Blood Transfusions?
Severe Aplastic Anemia Hello, doctor. A few days ago, I asked you about this issue: Can severe aplastic anemia recover, or will it require long-term blood transfusions? Thank you for your response.
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Connie: If aplastic anemia is caused by drug toxicity, there is a possibility that bone marrow function may recover after a period of time once the toxicity has resolved. However, we cannot expect a full recovery with certainty. Currently, red blood cell and platelet transfusions...[Read More] Can Severe Aplastic Anemia Be Cured or Require Long-Term Blood Transfusions?
Understanding Poor Hematopoietic Function: A Case Study in Elderly Patients
Poor hematopoietic function? Hello, my grandfather is 85 years old. Two weeks ago, he visited a clinic for a headache and received a flu vaccine. A few days later, he experienced dizziness, and that same evening after dinner, he vomited. He was then taken to the emergency departm...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Connie: This should be classified as severe aplastic anemia, which is characterized by the cessation of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. The causes of this condition include drug toxicity and autoimmune factors, among others. However, the majority of cases remain idiopathic. Lit...[Read More] Understanding Poor Hematopoietic Function: A Case Study in Elderly Patients
Understanding Your Grandmother's Health: Tumor Concerns and Next Steps
What kind of disease is this? Dear Doctor, My grandmother is 77 years old and has a history of heart disease, hypertension, and gout. She seems to have symptoms of hemorrhoids and had a mild gastric ulcer a few years ago. Recently, she has been experiencing shortness of breath w...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Bottle: In elderly patients with anemia, if blood transfusion is not administered, there is a risk of heart failure and myocardial infarction, so it is important to raise the hemoglobin level to above 9. There are many causes of anemia; if a urinalysis shows an excess of red bloo...[Read More] Understanding Your Grandmother's Health: Tumor Concerns and Next Steps
Are All Tumors Cancer? Understanding Liver Tumors and Their Risks
Is a tumor the same as cancer? Hello, doctor. My grandmother is over 80 years old and has poor health, suffering from severe anemia and cirrhosis due to hepatitis C. Recently, a check-up revealed a newly developed tumor in her liver. Her case has been referred to National Taiwan ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello, 1. Tumors can be benign or malignant, and cancer refers specifically to malignant tumors. 2. The liver can also have benign tumors such as hemangiomas or malignant tumors such as liver cancer. 3. A one-month wait for an MRI is relatively long; it is advisable to discuss th...[Read More] Are All Tumors Cancer? Understanding Liver Tumors and Their Risks
Why Isn't My Hemoglobin Rising Despite Taking Iron Supplements?
Why is hemoglobin (Hb) still not increasing after taking iron supplements? Hello, my hemoglobin (Hb) has been consistently around 9.5. After going to the hospital for a check-up, I found out that I have iron deficiency, but even after taking iron supplements for a while, my Hb is...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
1. It is possible that the dosage of iron supplements is insufficient or that there is ongoing blood loss. Gastrointestinal bleeding, urinary tract bleeding, and excessive menstrual bleeding in females all require examination and treatment. 2. The diagnosis can be further confi...[Read More] Why Isn't My Hemoglobin Rising Despite Taking Iron Supplements?
Managing Post-Surgery Symptoms and Recurrence Risks in Liver Cancer
Liver cancer I had liver cancer surgery in September to remove a 5 cm tumor. The doctor said to follow up with checks in three months. Since the surgery, I have been experiencing frequent dizziness, and medication hasn't helped. What other methods can I try? Is there a chanc...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. Dizziness should be evaluated by a doctor to check for anemia, excessive fatigue from work, or psychological factors. 2. Recurrence is unrelated to dizziness, so there is no need for unnecessary worry. Sincerely, Dr. Chen Sih-Rong, Oncology.[Read More] Managing Post-Surgery Symptoms and Recurrence Risks in Liver Cancer
Understanding the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Cancer Treatment
What are the side effects of chemotherapy? What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Dr. Zeng Yuhua Reply:
Hello! Chemotherapy is administered through oral and intravenous routes, with the drugs being absorbed and transported by the circulatory system to the tumors, exerting their anti-cancer effects. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, ...[Read More] Understanding the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Cancer Treatment
Can Cancer Patients Take B2 or B12 Supplements During Chemotherapy?
Can I take health supplements B2 or B12 while undergoing chemotherapy? My mother has a tumor about one centimeter in size in her lungs, located near a blood vessel, and surgery is not an option. She has undergone bronchoscopy and biopsy, and the results were negative. Does this i...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello Charlene, health supplements such as B2, B12, and folic acid are consumable.[Read More] Can Cancer Patients Take B2 or B12 Supplements During Chemotherapy?
Understanding Aplastic Anemia: Treatment Options and Travel Considerations
Questions Hi! About 2 weeks ago, I wrote an email to see if you could refer me to any hospital for leukemia. Thanks for your attention. My friend finally got the English name for her sister’s disease—“Aplastic Anemia.” She is actually in Thailand and is Thai. For this kind of dis...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Dear Vivien, Aplastic anemia is referred to as "再生不良性貧血" in Mandarin. It is not a malignant disease, but severe forms of aplastic anemia can be life-threatening. The best treatment is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, using either bone marrow or peripheral blood...[Read More] Understanding Aplastic Anemia: Treatment Options and Travel Considerations
Understanding Blood Cancer: Causes and Treatment Options Explained
Leukemia Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer, forms when there is an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, which can occur in the bone marrow or lymphatic system. This abnormal growth can lead to various types of blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myelom...
Dr. Yang Youhua Reply:
Blood cancer can be divided into two main categories: acute and chronic, and further classified into different types based on various stages of differentiation. Acute blood cancer occurs when there is an issue during the early stages of blood cell differentiation, leading to the ...[Read More] Understanding Blood Cancer: Causes and Treatment Options Explained
Understanding Multiple Myeloma: Risks and Treatment Options Explained
Multiple Myeloma What is multiple myeloma? What are its dangers? What treatment options are available? <Stage III> Thank you!
Dr. Yang Youhua Reply:
Multiple myeloma is a malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to the excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulin. Cancer cells secrete cytokines that stimulate osteoclasts, resulting in bone pain, multiple fract...[Read More] Understanding Multiple Myeloma: Risks and Treatment Options Explained