Blood cancers
What are blood cancers?
Blood cancers are caused by mutations in the DNA of blood cells, which cause them to become abnormal and multiply.1 These abnormal cells do not work properly and may stop healthy blood cells from performing important functions, like fighting off diseases.2 There are more than 100 different types of blood cancer.1
Quick Links
The three main types of blood cancer1,3,4,5
Other disorders that are also considered blood cancers, but fall outside of these three, include:1
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): Occur when mutations prevent the bone marrow from properly making blood stem cells that form healthy blood cells.6
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN): Occur when the body overproduces white or red blood cells, or platelets.7,8
Prevalence
Blood cancers are the 5th most common cancer in the UK, with around 41,000 new cases diagnosed every year. In the UK, blood cancers have the 3rd highest mortality of all cancers, leading to around 16,000 deaths every year. Blood cancers are more common in older people with just under 40% of cases occurring in people aged 75 or over.1
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of blood cancer9
Treatment options
There are a number of different treatments for blood cancers and the recommended treatment will vary according to the type of blood cancer and other health factors. Treatment options include:10
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy
Stem cell transplant
Radiotherapy
Immunotherapy
Surgery
Further information about the three main types of blood cancers:
References
1 Blood Cancer UK. Facts and information about blood cancer. Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/news/blood-cancer-facts/
Last accessed: October 2023
2 Blood Cancer UK. What is blood cancer? Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/what-is-blood-cancer/
Last accessed: October 2023
3 Blood Cancer UK. Leukaemia. Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/leukaemia/
Last accessed: October 2023
4 Blood Cancer UK. Lymphoma. Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/lymphoma/
Last accessed: October 2023
5 Blood Cancer UK. Myeloma. Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/myeloma/
Last accessed: October 2023
6 Blood Cancer UK. What is myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)? Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/myelodysplastic-syndromes-mds/what-is-mds/
Last accessed: October 2023
7 Blood Cancer UK. What are myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/myeloproliferative-neoplasms/
Last Accessed: October 2023
8 NHS University College London Hospitals. What are Myeloproliferative neoplasms. Available at: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-service/cancer-services/blood-diseases-clinical-haematology/blood-diseases-types-and-services/blood-cancers/myeloproliferative-neoplasms-mpn/what-are-myeloproliferative-neoplasms-mpn
Last accessed: October 2023
9 Blood Cancer UK. Blood cancer symptoms and signs. Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/blood-cancer-signs-symptoms/
Last accessed: October 2023
10 Blood Cancer UK. Blood cancer treatment types. Available at: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/treatment/blood-cancer-types-treatment/
Last accessed: October 2023
October 2023 | HE-GB-2200238