Blood Cancers
For blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplant are coordinated as a personalized plan across our accredited network.
What are blood cancers?
Blood cancers are the collective name for cancers affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. In these diseases, the normal production and function of blood cells is disrupted.
Unlike many other cancers, they usually do not form a solid tumor. Thanks to advances in treatment, survival has increased markedly in many blood cancers.
What are the types of blood cancer?
They fall into three main groups:
Causes and risk factors
Main risk factors:
- Exposure to high-dose radiation or certain chemicals (benzene)
- Prior chemotherapy/radiotherapy
- Certain genetic disorders
- Immune-suppressing conditions and some viruses
- Older age (for some types)
- Family history of blood cancer
What are the symptoms of blood cancer?
Symptoms vary by type; common ones include:
- Constant fatigue and weakness (anemia)
- Frequent infections and fever
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin
- Unexplained weight loss and night sweats
- Bone or joint pain
Staging and grading of blood cancer
Staging in blood cancers differs from other cancers:
How is blood cancer diagnosed?
Blood and bone marrow examination is the foundation of diagnosis:
- Complete blood count and peripheral smear
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
- Lymph node biopsy (in lymphoma)
- Flow cytometry, genetic, and molecular tests
Imaging methods in blood cancers
For assessing spread and involvement:
- PET-CT (especially in lymphoma)
- Neck-chest-abdomen CT
- MRI (bone and central nervous system involvement)
- Bone imaging (in myeloma)
Blood cancer treatment methods
Treatment is planned by type and risk group:
Every patient and every tumor is different
No single treatment is right for everyone; the best plan depends on your exact diagnosis, stage, and tumor characteristics. At National Cancer Alliance, we arrange a free second opinion from board-certified oncologists to review your case.
Prognosis and survival rates
Prognosis in blood cancers varies greatly by type. In Hodgkin lymphoma the 5-year survival is about 89%, and in many chronic leukemias it is quite high; in some acute leukemias prognosis depends on the risk group.
Targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and CAR-T cell therapies have fundamentally improved survival in many blood cancers in recent years. Accurate subtype diagnosis is critical for treatment success.
Prevention of blood cancers
Most blood cancers cannot be prevented, but to reduce risk:
- Protect against harmful chemicals such as benzene
- Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
- Avoid smoking
- Protect against infections
- Evaluate warning signs early
Frequently asked questions
Is blood cancer contagious?
No. Blood cancers are not contagious diseases.
Does every blood cancer require a transplant?
No. Transplant is used only in selected patients and certain types; many patients are controlled with drug therapies.
What is CAR-T therapy?
An advanced immunotherapy in which the patient's own immune cells are reprogrammed in the lab to recognize the cancer and returned to the body.
Should I get a second opinion?
Accurate subtype diagnosis and current treatment choice are critical in blood cancers; an independent hematology-oncology review is very valuable.
Ready for a plan built around you?
Start with a free, no-obligation second opinion from a board-certified oncologist. Have your case reviewed and every option explained clearly.
Get a FREE Second OpinionThis page provides general information about blood cancers; it is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All treatments are provided by independent, accredited hospitals and licensed physicians. Your treatment decision should be made by a qualified physician based on your individual situation.