Bob Valvano's Diagnosis
- Bob Valvano, brother of famed college basketball coach Jim Valvano, just recently shared that he has been diagnosed with leukemia.
- Leukemia is a type of blood cancer which develops when the body produces large quantities of abnormal white blood cells. Because they're abnormal, they prevent the bone marrow from producing any other type of cell, namely red blood cells and platelets.
- Volvano has said it’s unclear whether he will immediately go through treatment. In some cases of treating leukemia you can just monitor the cancer.
Bob Valvano, a college basketball game analyst for ESPN, shared via Twitter that he has been diagnosed with leukemia (a type of blood cancer) as well as a few other health problems. Valvano shared that it’s unclear whether he will go forward with treatment, or if it’s necessary in general.
Read MoreFriends:Well…a lot of news. Biggest of which is I have leukemia. I have aneurysm on my aorta too, and apparently some kidney damage, maybe from all Aleve I took for my back.
— Bob Valvano (@espnVshow) April 19, 2021
So lot of activity.
I don't know when or if I need treatment for leukemia. But prognosis good says Doc!
This isn’t the first time the Valvano family has experienced the toll cancer can have on a family. In 1992, Valvano’s brother, famed coach Jim Valvano, was diagnosed with a type of glandular cancer called adenocarcinoma which had spread to his bones. He passed away in 1993, but made his mark in history a few months before his death during the first ever ESPY awards where he delivered an inspiring speech about hope, perseverance, and never giving up no matter what.
Bob Valvano says he plans to fight as hard as his brave brother did before, and it turns out his physician is also connected to his brother. “Leukemia not cool but this is,” Valvano wrote in a separate tweet. “My cancer doctor (Dr. Khuda Khan) was taught by my brother Jim’s cancer doctor (Dr. Joe Moore) at Duke medical school! I know I’m in good hands!!!”
Leukemia not cool but this is. My cancer doctor (Dr. Khuda Khan) was taught by my brother Jim's cancer doctor (Dr.Joe Moore) at Duke medical school!
I know I'm in good hands!!!— Bob Valvano (@espnVshow) April 19, 2021
What is Blood Cancer?
Blood cancers are arguably some of the most complex forms of the disease, especially since there are many different types of blood cancers which can require different treatments. In Valvano’s case, he has been diagnosed with leukemia which develops when the body produces large quantities of abnormal white blood cells. Because they're abnormal, they prevent the bone marrow from producing any other type of cell, namely red blood cells and platelets.
Leukemia is diagnosed through a test called a complete blood count (CBC) which can detect the abnormally high levels of white blood cells that present with the disease. In fact, a CBC is the most common blood test and a part of routine blood work. That means a routine physical could lead your doctor to catching leukemia. As for treatment, it differs compared to other types of blood cancer. Like Valvano said, it’s still unclear whether treatment will be necessary immediately for him, which makes sense because in some cases of leukemia you can just monitor the cancer for a while.
Related: Blood Cancer Comes in More than 100 Varieties: How They Differ & What They Have in Common
"This is a very different cancer," Dr. Nicole Lamanna, a hematologist-oncologist at Columbia University Herbert Comprehensive Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet. "Most of the time, if you're diagnosed with cancer, we're going to treat you. Leukemia happens to be one of those cancers that you don't necessarily need treatment right away. Many patients are monitored even for years."
Dr. Nicole Lamanna explains the complex form of blood cancers
While there are symptoms which point to someone having blood cancer, a few of those diagnosed with leukemia might have had Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) which has been referred to as “pre leukemia.” This is a type of blood disorder which can cause people to have low blood cells levels. However, it’s unclear if Valvano has this condition.
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