Leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are some of the types of blood cancer. They share some symptoms, but many have very specific symptoms.

Many blood cancer symptoms are common to other medical conditions. It is important to see your general practitioner (GP) to find out what is causing your symptoms.

Some common blood cancer symptoms

Learn about some common symptoms from The Blood Count, our friendly ally and blood cancer expert, in the video below.

Unexplained weight loss

Cause: cancer cells can change your appetite and how much energy your body burns every day. This can cause muscle and fat loss.

What you might expect:

• Weight loss that is unusual
• Weight loss despite no change in diet and exercise

Unexplained bruising or bleeding

Cause: low level of platelets, which help the blood to clot.

What you might expect:

• You may have bleeding from your nose or gums – prolonged bleeding from a cut, heavy periods, or blood in your urine or poo
• In very rare cases – a bleed into the brain. This can cause neurological symptoms, like headache and weakness
• Petechiae – tiny, unraised red blood spots under the skin, often starting on legs
• On darker skin they are darker than the skin around them

Lumps or swellings

Cause: abnormal white blood cells building up in your lymph glands.

What you might expect:

• Most likely to notice these in your neck, armpit or groin
• Usually painless, although some people find they ache
• If there are lumps or swellings further inside your body, and they press on organs such as your lungs, this may cause pain, discomfort or breathlessness

Shortness of breath

Cause: anaemia (a low level of red blood cells).

What you might expect:

• Breathlessness even when resting
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Drenching night sweats

Cause: unknown.

What you might expect:

• Some people with lymphoma or leukaemia have drenching night sweats
• Changing sheets or nightwear overnight

Repeat or severe infections

Cause: low level of white blood cells, which fight infection.

What you might expect:

• Infections that are persistent, recurrent or severe
• Flu-like symptoms such as chills or shivering, coughing or a sore throat
• Mouth ulcers that don’t go away

Regular and frequent fevers

Cause: low level of white blood cells, which fight infection.

What you might expect:

• Fever of 38°C or above even if there aren’t any other obvious signs of infection

Unexplained rash or itchy skin

Cause: rashes can be caused by a low level of platelets. Some people with blood cancer experience itching, it is not understood what causes this.

What you might expect:

• You may notice small red spots in the skin (petechiae) or a purple rash (purpura)
• Petechiae and purpura don’t fade when you press on them
• Itching due to lymphoma can be severe – it may also cause a burning sensation
• On darker skin they are darker than the skin around them

Pain in your bone, joints or abdomen

Cause: damage to your bones and/or joints. Abnormal blood cells building up in your spleen (abdominal pain).

What you might expect:

• Myeloma can cause pain in any major bones such as your back, ribs or hips
• You may feel full after only eating small amounts. You may have discomfort or pain on the left side under your ribs and have bloating/swelling

Fatigue

Cause: anaemia (a low level of red blood cells)

What you might expect:

• Tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest or sleep
• Feeling faint and headaches

Unusually pale complexion

Cause: anaemia (a low level of red blood cells).

What you might expect:

• Unusually pale complexion (pallor)
• Feeling faint and headaches
• People with darker skin may look greyish with pale palms on their hands

Acute blood cancer – multiple symptoms

Cause: very high level of white blood cells. Some types of blood cancer such as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) develop very quickly. You may suddenly become very unwell. This is known as leukostasis.

Not everyone will have the same symptoms, some people may have symptoms that are not listed here. Usually multiple symptoms are present and develop quickly.

Possible symptoms:

• Breathing problems – difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, wheezing
• Neurological symptoms - visual changes, confusion, vomiting, loss of muscle control, seizures, drowsiness, slurred speech, headaches
• Fever, night sweats
• Itching, hives, skin rash
• Easily bruising, bleeding

Leukostasis is a medical emergency and you must seek medical attention immediately. Call 000 – for a medical emergency.

When you visit your doctor

Here are some helpful tips that you might like to consider when visiting your doctor:

• Prepare for your appointment by writing questions and concerns down beforehand
• Complete the blood cancer symptoms guide to take with you
• Be open and honest about all the signs, symptoms and health concerns you have
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions – you can ask about anything you don’t understand
• Bring a family member or friend, if you would like them to be there
• Take notes of the discussion, actions and decisions
• Bring any medications you are taking

Questions to ask your doctor

• With my symptoms is it worth investigating if it could be blood cancer?
• Do I need a blood test?
• Do I need any scans or biopsies?
• Do you need to take a urine sample?

We have more specific information about symptoms for different types of blood cancer plus information about each disease, diagnosis, treatment and side-effects.

Need to talk? A Leukaemia Foundation Healthcare Professional is here for you. Call 1800 620 420 or email [email protected]

We’d like to thank our partners for funding the production of our blood cancer signs and symptoms informational video

References and more information:

• Assessing awareness of blood cancer symptoms and barriers to symptomatic presentation: measure development and results from a population survey in the UK | BMC Cancer | Full Text
• Blood cancer symptoms and signs | Blood Cancer UK
• Hyperleukocytosis and Leukostasis | Critical Care Medicine Section