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- Exploring cancer care
- Conditions we treat
- Blood cancer
Blood cancer
Cancerous cells in the blood prevent your blood from carrying out its normal functions, such as fighting infection, delivering oxygen around your body, and clotting to stop bleeding. Blood cancers can also spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph glands, liver, kidneys, and spleen.
The main types of blood cancer
There are three main types of blood cancer that affect the blood, lymph nodes or bone marrow (the spongy tissue in bones where blood cells are made).
Leukaemia cancer
In people with leukaemia, the bone marrow produces a population of abnormal white blood cells that can “overcrowd” the normal healthy bone marrow, reducing its production of normal white and red blood cells and platelet (clotting) cells. This leads to symptoms of bruising and bleeding (from low platelet cells), infection (from low levels of healthy white blood cells) and lethargy, dizziness and breathlessness (from anaemia, or low red blood cell counts). Leukaemia can also cause sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, fevers and night sweats.
Leukaemia journey
Find out more about the treatment journey for Leukaemia cancer, from diagnosis to survival.
Lymphoma cancer
Lymphoma is a blood cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Lymphoma develops when normal lymphocytes encounter a glitch in their genetics which causes them to multiply in large numbers and form swellings throughout the body, typically in lymph glands. Lymph glands can be found throughout the body and usually carry normal lymphocytes to sites of active infection. In lymphoma, abnormal lymphocytes can grow in these lymph glands, and in other organs in the body. Patients with lymphoma may present to their doctor with painless swelling in their lymph glands, fevers, night sweats and sudden weight loss. There are two broad categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Within these groups there are many more subtypes of lymphoma, some slow growing, and some more aggressive in nature.
Myeloma cancer
Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, develops from abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are white blood cells which usually make antibodies to help your body fight infection. These abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) can spread throughout the bone and prevent the production of healthy blood cells. Myeloma cells can also cause problems with high calcium, kidney failure, anaemia (low red cells) and a predisposition towards infection.
Myeloma cancer journey
Find out more about the treatment journey for myeloma cancer, from diagnosis to survival.
Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma which is also referred to as Hodgkin disease, is a type of lymphoma - a term used for cancer of the lymphatic system. It is named after the doctor who first discovered the disease. The lymphatic system contains white blood cells called lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma starts in these lymphocytes and causes abnormal lymphocytes, which typically reside in the lymph glands.
Hodgkin lymphoma journey
Find out more about the treatment journey for Hodgkin lymphoma from diagnosis to survival.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, previously known as non-Hodgkin disease, is a blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains white blood cells called lymphocytes. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma starts in these lymphocytes and causes abnormal lymphocytes, which typically reside in the lymph glands. The abnormal cells grow and multiply, leading to lymph node swelling.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma journey
Find out more about the treatment journey for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma from diagnosis to survival.
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Our centres
In Australia, we have more than 40 oncology centres in metro and regional Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
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Our doctors
Our experienced, specialised doctors offer bespoke, dedicated care aiming to provide the best possible clinical outcomes.
Treatment
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays or other particles to treat cancer and can be used at all stages.