作为一名医学专家,我经常被问到：“医生，为什么癌症患者天天抽血？难道你们医院的血库缺货了吗？”每次听到这个问题，我都忍不住想笑，抽血可不是为了给血库补货，而是为了收集“情报”！没错，癌症患者的血液里藏着无数的秘密，而我们医生就是“情报分析师”，通过抽血来破解这些秘密，制定最佳的治疗方案。
抽血的第一重任务：监测病情进展
癌症患者的血液就像一本“病历本”，里面记录着病情的每一个细节，通过抽血，我们可以监测肿瘤标志物的变化，肿瘤标志物是一种特殊的蛋白质或物质，它们在癌症患者的血液中会异常升高，前列腺癌患者的PSA（前列腺特异性抗原）水平会升高，而肝癌患者的AFP（甲胎蛋白）水平也会上升，这些标志物就像“间谍”，告诉我们肿瘤是否在活跃、是否在扩散。
举个例子,如果一位患者的肿瘤标志物突然飙升，那可能意味着肿瘤在“搞事情”——要么是复发了，要么是转移了，这时候，我们医生就得赶紧调整治疗方案，不能让肿瘤“逍遥法外”。
抽血的第二重任务：评估治疗效果
治疗癌症就像打仗,医生是“指挥官”，药物是“武器”，而血液检查就是“战报”，通过抽血，我们可以评估治疗效果，看看药物是否有效、副作用是否可控。
化疗药物虽然能杀死癌细胞,但也可能对正常细胞造成伤害，通过抽血，我们可以监测白细胞、红细胞和血小板的数量，如果白细胞太低，患者容易感染；如果血小板太低，患者容易出血，这时候，我们医生就得调整药物剂量，或者给患者打“增援针”（比如升白针），确保患者的安全。
再比如,靶向治疗和免疫治疗是近年来癌症治疗的“新武器”，但它们的效果因人而异，通过抽血，我们可以监测患者的免疫状态和基因突变情况，看看这些“新武器”是否适合患者，如果效果不好，我们还可以及时换“武器”，不让肿瘤有喘息的机会。
抽血的第三重任务：预防并发症
癌症患者不仅要面对肿瘤的威胁,还要提防各种并发症，化疗可能导致肝肾功能损伤，放疗可能引起电解质紊乱，通过抽血，我们可以及时发现这些问题，避免病情恶化。
举个例子,如果一位患者的肝功能指标异常升高，那可能意味着肝脏受到了药物的伤害，这时候，我们医生就得赶紧调整治疗方案，或者给患者开一些保肝药物，不能让肝脏“罢工”。
再比如,癌症患者常常会出现贫血、感染等问题，通过抽血，我们可以监测血红蛋白、白细胞等指标，及时发现并处理这些问题，确保患者的身体状态稳定。
抽血的第四重任务：个性化治疗
每个人的癌症都是独一无二的,就像每个人的指纹一样，通过抽血，我们可以进行基因检测，找出肿瘤的“弱点”，制定个性化的治疗方案。
有些肺癌患者的肿瘤细胞带有EGFR基因突变,他们对靶向药物特别敏感；而有些乳腺癌患者的肿瘤细胞带有HER2基因扩增，他们对赫赛汀（Herceptin）这类药物效果很好，通过抽血，我们可以找到这些“靶点”，精准打击肿瘤，提高治疗效果。
抽血的第五重任务：心理安慰
虽然抽血看起来有点“残忍”，但它其实也是一种心理安慰，每次抽血，患者都能看到自己的检查结果，了解自己的病情变化，这种“知情权”能让患者感到安心，增强战胜疾病的信心。
举个例子,如果一位患者的肿瘤标志物持续下降，那意味着治疗有效，肿瘤在“节节败退”，这时候，患者和家属都会感到欣慰，更有动力坚持下去。
癌症患者天天抽血,不是为了给血库补货，而是为了收集“情报”，监测病情、评估治疗、预防并发症、个性化治疗，甚至提供心理安慰，每一次抽血，都是医生和患者共同努力的一部分，都是为了战胜癌症这个“大魔王”。
我想对所有癌症患者说：别怕抽血，它虽然有点疼，但它是我们战胜癌症的“秘密武器”，每一次抽血，都是向胜利迈进一步，加油，你们不是一个人在战斗！
English Translation:
Title: Why Do Cancer Patients Get Blood Drawn Every Day? It's Not Blood, It's "Intelligence"!
As a medical expert, I am often asked, "Doctor, why do cancer patients get blood drawn every day? Is the hospital blood bank running low?" Every time I hear this question, I can't help but laugh. In fact, drawing blood is not about replenishing the blood bank; it's about collecting "intelligence"! That's right, the blood of cancer patients holds countless secrets, and we doctors are the "intelligence analysts," deciphering these secrets through blood tests to develop the best treatment plans.
The First Mission of Blood Draws: Monitoring Disease Progression
The blood of cancer patients is like a "medical record," documenting every detail of their condition. Through blood draws, we can monitor changes in tumor markers. Tumor markers are special proteins or substances that become abnormally elevated in the blood of cancer patients. For example, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels rise in prostate cancer patients, while AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) levels increase in liver cancer patients. These markers are like "spies," telling us whether the tumor is active or spreading.
For instance, if a patient's tumor markers suddenly spike, it could mean the tumor is "up to something"—either recurring or metastasizing. At this point, we doctors need to quickly adjust the treatment plan to prevent the tumor from "running wild."
The Second Mission of Blood Draws: Evaluating Treatment Effectiveness
Treating cancer is like fighting a war. Doctors are the "commanders," drugs are the "weapons," and blood tests are the "battle reports." Through blood draws, we can assess the effectiveness of the treatment, checking whether the drugs are working and whether the side effects are manageable.
For example, chemotherapy drugs can kill cancer cells but may also harm normal cells. Through blood draws, we can monitor the counts of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. If white blood cells are too low, the patient is prone to infections; if platelets are too low, the patient is at risk of bleeding. At this point, we doctors need to adjust the drug dosage or give the patient "reinforcement shots" (like white blood cell boosters) to ensure their safety.
Similarly, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are the "new weapons" in cancer treatment in recent years, but their effectiveness varies from person to person. Through blood draws, we can monitor the patient's immune status and genetic mutations to see if these "new weapons" are suitable for the patient. If they are not effective, we can quickly switch "weapons," leaving no room for the tumor to recover.
The Third Mission of Blood Draws: Preventing Complications
Cancer patients not only face the threat of tumors but also need to guard against various complications. For example, chemotherapy can damage liver and kidney function, while radiation therapy can cause electrolyte imbalances. Through blood draws, we can detect these issues early and prevent the condition from worsening.
For instance, if a patient's liver function indicators are abnormally high, it could mean the liver is being harmed by the drugs. At this point, we doctors need to quickly adjust the treatment plan or prescribe liver-protecting medications to prevent the liver from "going on strike."
Similarly, cancer patients often experience anemia, infections, and other issues. Through blood draws, we can monitor indicators like hemoglobin and white blood cell counts, detecting and addressing these problems promptly to ensure the patient's physical condition remains stable.
The Fourth Mission of Blood Draws: Personalized Treatment
Each person's cancer is unique, like a fingerprint. Through blood draws, we can perform genetic testing to identify the tumor's "weak points" and develop personalized treatment plans.
For example, some lung cancer patients have tumor cells with EGFR gene mutations, making them particularly sensitive to targeted drugs. Some breast cancer patients have tumor cells with HER2 gene amplification, making them respond well to drugs like Herceptin. Through blood draws, we can find these "targets" and precisely attack the tumor, improving treatment outcomes.
The Fifth Mission of Blood Draws: Psychological Comfort
Although blood draws may seem a bit "cruel," they also provide psychological comfort. Each time blood is drawn, patients can see their test results and understand how their condition is changing. This "right to know" can reassure patients and strengthen their confidence in fighting the disease.
For example, if a patient's tumor markers continue to decline, it means the treatment is effective, and the tumor is "retreating." At this point, both the patient and their family feel relieved and more motivated to keep going.
Conclusion
So, cancer patients get blood drawn every day not to replenish the blood bank but to collect "intelligence," monitor the disease, evaluate treatment, prevent complications, personalize treatment, and even provide psychological comfort. Each blood draw is part of the joint effort between doctors and patients to defeat the "big bad" cancer.
Finally, I want to say to all cancer patients: Don't be afraid of blood draws. They may hurt a little, but they are our "secret weapon" in the fight against cancer. Each blood draw is a step closer to victory. Keep going—you're not fighting alone!
