Haematological disorders

Haematological disorders can also be referred to as blood disorders and can affect one or more parts of the blood. They can be both cancerous and non-cancerous.

There are three main cancerous haematological disorders – Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma – which are all cancers arising from abnormal blood or bone marrow cells.

Below is a diagram showing how blood cells are made.

Types of haematological disorders

The Haematology Unit provides diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the blood and lymph nodes including:

Leukemia

• Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) – is a form of blood cancer, which affects the white blood cells known as myeloid cells
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) –  is a form of blood cancer, which affects the white blood cells known as lymphocytes
• Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) – Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia is a disease in which the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)–  is a form of blood cancer, which affects the white blood cells known as lymphocytes

Lymphoma

• Hodgkin Lymphoma – Hodgkin Lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymph nodes of the lymphatic system
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a blood cancer that appears as a solid tumour in the glands, usually of the neck, chest, armpit or groin
• Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) – SLL is a type of blood cancer that develops from the white blood cells that fight infection. It is usually slow-growing and behaves like a chronic (long-term) condition, it needs treatment from time to time to keep it under control.

Myeloma

• Myeloma– is a cancer arising from plasma cells, a type of white blood cell which is made in the bone marrow
• MGUS – is a non-cancerous condition of the plasma cells

There are also a range of non-cancerous disorders treated within the Haematology Unit including:

• Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPDS) – there are three main types of MPDs called Essential Thrombocythaemia, Polycythaemia Vera and Myelofibrosis which affect the levels of blood cells produced in our bodies
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) – a blood disorder that causes a drop in the number of healthy blood cells

The Trust’s Haematology Unit offers rapid advice, diagnosis and treatment for patients displaying symptoms of both non-cancerous and cancerous haematological disorders and has a specialist haematology team that will see you from when you are referred by your GP through to diagnose and treatment of your haematological disorder.

The team also provides support and advice to people in the community who have haematology disorders.

Our Cancer Services team is here to support you every step of the way.

This haematological disorders section on our website takes you through your pathway within the Trust and provides you with the information and support you will need throughout your journey.