There are many different types of blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and rarer types such as the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).
Blood cancers can cause many different symptoms. Some are common across all blood cancers, others are more characteristic of particular types of blood cancer. For example, lymphomas can be characterised by swollen lymph nodes and one of the most common symptoms of myeloma is bone pain, especially in the back.
The vagueness and non-specific nature of the symptoms means that blood cancers can be hard to diagnose.
The common symptoms of blood cancers can include:
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Feeling weak or breathless
Easily bruise or bleed
Enlarged lymph nodes
Swollen stomach or abdominal discomfort
Frequent and repeated infections
Fever/night sweats
Pain in bones/joints
Itchy skin
Bone pain (ribs/back)
If you or anybody you know is experiencing any or all of these symptoms, then we urge you to visit your GP who will refer you for further tests if they suspect you have a blood cancer.
Know the symptoms – Think T.E.S.T
Our symptoms cards are an easy way to remember the common symptoms of blood cancers.
T – Tiredness and exhaustion
E – Excessive sweating
S – Sore bones and joints
T – Terrible bruising and unusual bleeding
