Blood Cancer

Haematology involves the diagnosis and treatment of patients who have disorders of the blood and bone marrow, and cancers of the lymphatic system.

Blood cancers fall into three main categories:

• Leukaemia, which affects your white blood cells and is named according to the type of white blood cell it is affecting
• Lymphoma, both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin, which affects your lymphatic system
• Myeloma (also known as multiple myeloma), which affects the plasma cells in your bone marrow.

We provide the best possible care for patients who are diagnosed with haematological cancer.

We provide support, information, counselling and education to you and your relatives and carers throughout treatment.

A cancer diagnosis has a great impact on patients and carers, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of care for all our patients at every stage in their pathway.

What we do

We care for patients with blood disorders and those receiving chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, supportive therapy and palliative care associated with haematological disorders. We receive planned day-case and outpatient visits, as well as planned inpatient and emergency admissions.

Treatment

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for most blood cancers. In some cases, targeted drugs can be used to try and control the cancer and stop it from growing.

Other treatments you may need include antibiotics and blood transfusions. Sometimes a stem cell transplant may also be needed to achieve a cure. Your treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team.

Treatment can also include:

• High-dose chemotherapy
• Peripheral blood stem cell collection and re-infusion
• Supportive therapies
• Palliative care
• Low-dose chemotherapy
• Targeted medications
• Radiotherapy