BPDCN, or blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, is a rare and rapidly progressing blood cancer.
Facing BPDCN can feel overwhelming, but knowing more about how it’s diagnosed and what treatment may involve can help ease some of the uncertainty. The more you understand, the more prepared you or your loved ones can feel while navigating this experience.
BPDCN can affect many different parts of the body, including:
Skin
Blood
Lymph nodes
Soft tissue inside bones, or bone marrow
The central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord
Spleen
BPDCN affects many different parts of the body, and symptoms can vary from person to person.
Often people experience skin lesions, such as rashes, bruise-like spots, or raised bumps. Other symptoms people experience include tiredness, swollen lymph nodes, or discomfort in the stomach area.
Diagnosing BPDCN
Your healthcare provider will perform a biopsy to look for CD123. A biopsy is when cells or tissue is removed to look for abnormalities that can help doctors diagnose BPDCN. This can be a bone marrow biopsy and, if you have skin lesions, may also include a skin biopsy.
CD123 is a protein normally found on healthy blood cells, but it is found in high amounts on the cancerous blood cells in people with BPDCN. Detecting CD123 is one factor that can help doctors diagnose BPDCN.
Looking for more information about BPDCN?
Advocacy and support organizations have helpful educational materials that you can access to learn more about BPDCN.
Find a BPDCN Specialist
BPDCN can rapidly progress, so it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. Healthcare providers who specialize in BPDCN can help you get timely treatment.
Taking immediate action together: You and your care team in the BPDCN treatment experience
A BPDCN diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but understanding what comes next can give you more certainty throughout the treatment experience.
Understanding your BPDCN treatment options
After being diagnosed with BPDCN, it’s important to start treatment quickly. Your care team will work with you to create a plan to help reach your treatment goals, such as remission or, if eligible, preparing for a stem cell transplant.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can help reduce cancer cells in BPDCN by using drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. There are different types of chemotherapy, and your healthcare provider will decide which is best for you.
Targeted therapies
Your healthcare provider may recommend a targeted therapy, like DECNUPAZ. Targeted therapies are not chemotherapy. Instead, they target specific receptors or proteins on cells; for example, CD123 is a therapeutic target for BPDCN.
Stem cell transplantation (SCT)
SCT involves replacing cancerous stem cells in the bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This approach has been shown to have longer-lasting effects than treatment alone, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Your eligibility will depend on various factors, including overall health and response to initial treatment.
BPDCN=blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
Find connections and information through advocacy and support organizations
Even with a rare blood cancer like BPDCN, you are not alone in your diagnosis. There are organizations that can support you throughout treatment by providing helpful information and connecting you with others. Explore other advocacy and support organizations, as well as resources to help you throughout treatment.