Blood and Bone
Blood cancers happen when the blood cells do not develop properly. The most common types of blood cancer are leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Within these groups there are different types of cancer. Bone cancer, or sarcoma, is a rare form of cancer with about 600 cases a year in the UK.
Leukaemia
There are four main types of leukaemia based on the type of cell affected (myeloid and lymphocytes) and if develops fast (acute) or slow (chronic).
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)
This is the most common type of leukaemia. It develops slowly and often cause no symptoms in the early stages.
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
This is a rare form of cancer. Symptoms can develop quickly
Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (CLL)
This is a rare form of cancer. It develops slowly and for most people it can be controlled during their lifespan.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)
This is a rare form of cancer. Symptoms can develop quickly
Symptoms
- General weakness (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- Fatigue (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- High temperature (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- Frequent infections (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- Bruising or bleeding easily (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- Weight loss (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- Pain in bones or joints (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- Breathlessness (AML; ALL)
- Feeling full (AML; ALL; CML)
- Pale skin (AML; ALL; CLL; CML)
- Swollen lymph nodes/glands (ALL; CLL; CML)
- Loss of appetite (CML)
- Night sweats (CLL; CML)
- Headaches (CML)
These symptoms are often vague and can be caused by other conditions. If you do experience any of these symptoms speak to a GP.
Treatment
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the location and stage of your cancer. The main treatments include:
- Surgery (CLL)
- Chemotherapy (ALL; AML; CLL; CML)
- Radiotherapy (ALL; AML; CLL)
- Targeted cancer drugs (ALL; AML; CLL; CML)
- Immunotherapy (ALL)
- Stem cell/bone marrow transplant (ALL; AML; CLL; CML)
- Steroids (ALL)
- Removal of abnormal white blood cells (AML)
Your treatment plan may have a combination of these.
Lymphoma
The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Around 20% of diagnosed lymphomas are Hodgkin Lymphoma, which is around 1,700 cases a year in the UK.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
This is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, affecting around 13,500 people a year.
Symptoms
- Swelling of lymph node (neck, armpit or groin)
- Night sweats
- High temperature
- Weight loss
- Itching
- Breathlessness
- Tummy pain
These symptoms are often vague and can be caused by other conditions. If you do experience any of these symptoms speak to a GP.
Treatment
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the location and stage of your cancer. The main treatments include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Targeted cancer drugs
- Stem cell/bone marrow transplant
- Steroids
Your treatment plan may have a combination of these.
Myeloma
This is a type of bone marrow cancer and can affect several parts of the body.
Symptoms
- Aching in bones
- Weak bones that break easily
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Frequent infections
- Kidney problems
- Feeling thirsty a lot
These symptoms are often vague and can be caused by other conditions. If you do experience any of these symptoms speak to a GP.
Treatment
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the location and stage of your cancer. The main treatments include:
- Radiotherapy
- Stem cell/bone marrow transplant
- Steroids
Your treatment plan may have a combination of these.
Bone cancer
Bone cancer can affect any bone in the body, but it usually develops in the longer bones – the arms and legs.
Symptoms
- Persistent bone pain
- Swelling and redness over a bone
- Lump over a bone
- Weak bone that breaks easily
If you are experiencing persistent, worsening or severe pain in a bone speak to a GP. It will probably not be cancer, but does need investigating.
Treatment
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the location and stage of your cancer. The main treatments include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Targeted cancer drugs
Your treatment plan may have a combination of these.
Support and more information available
NHS
- Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
- Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Bone Cancer
Cancer Research UK
- Blood cancer
- Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
- Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Myeloma
- Bone Cancer
Macmillan
- Blood cancer
- Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
- Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Myeloma
- Bone Cancer