Blood cancer or hematologic cancer affects your blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of blood cancer mimic common illnesses. That is why it is crucial to recognise these symptoms early, before they get to the stage where nothing will work. Here, we will be exploring the early symptoms of blood cancer and when you should seek medical attention.
There are three major types of blood cancer:
1. Leukaemia
Leukaemia is a form of blood and bone marrow cancer that targets leukocytes, or the white blood cells. When the body produces abnormal blood cells in large quantities that do not function well, these cells start crowding out the healthy ones. The immune system is left impaired, and blood doesn’t function normally.
Leukaemia is of the following types:
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)
Each type is classified based on how quickly it progresses (acute or chronic) and the kind of white blood cell it affects (myeloid or lymphoid).
2. Lymphoma
Lymphoma begins in the lymphatic system, which includes lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. This system is vital for fighting infections. In lymphoma, lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) grow uncontrollably and may spread throughout the body.
Types of lymphoma include:
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common and includes many subtypes that vary in aggressiveness and treatment response.
3. Myeloma
Also known as multiple myeloma, this cancer affects plasma cells — specialised white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies. In myeloma, abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, interfering with normal blood cell production and weakening the immune system.
Myeloma leads to a decreased ability to fight infections and causes bone pain, anaemia, and kidney issues.
The following are common blood cancer symptoms seen in both men and women:
These are among the early symptoms of blood cancer and should not be ignored, particularly if they persist or worsen over time.
In addition to the general symptoms, there are certain blood cancer symptoms in females that may present differently or more frequently due to hormonal or anatomical factors. These include:
These symptoms of blood cancer in female patients are sometimes misattributed to gynaecological or digestive issues, delaying diagnosis. Awareness is key for early detection and prompt treatment.
Staging is a crucial part of diagnosing blood cancer. It helps determine the type, extent, and spread of the disease, allowing doctors to choose the most effective treatment plan. Since blood cancer doesn’t form solid tumours like other cancers, its staging focuses on how far the abnormal cells have spread within the body, especially to the bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes, and organs.
To accurately stage blood cancer, doctors perform a series of tests and evaluations. These include:
(Session 2025 - 26)