There are lots of possible signs and symptoms of blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The most common symptoms include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Lumps or swellings
• Drenching night sweats
• Persistent, recurrent or severe infections
• Unexplained fever (38°C or above)
• Unexplained rash or itchy skin
• Bone, joint or abdominal pain
• Tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep
• Breathlessness
• Unusually pale complexion (pallor)

We have more specific information about symptoms for different types of blood cancer.

Not everyone will have the same symptoms, and people may have symptoms that are not listed here.

Our free blood cancer symptoms guide is a pocket-sized reminder of these symptoms and provides space for you to record any that you might experience. If you need to get checked out, it also includes things to think about before your appointment and questions to ask your doctor. 

If you go to get checked out, here are some questions you might want to ask your doctor:

• I’m worried about blood cancer – is that something you can rule out?
• Do I need a blood test?
• Do I need a lymph node biopsy?
• Do I need any scans?
• Do you need to take a urine sample?

Blood cancer often means you don’t have the right balance of blood cells in your body. You might have too many of a particular type of blood cell, not enough of a particular type of blood cell, or blood cells that aren’t working properly. This list explains what causes the most common symptoms of blood cancer.

Caused by anaemia (a low level of red blood cells)

Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, you can become anaemic. Anaemia can cause tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest or sleep, breathlessness even when you’re resting, and an unusually pale complexion (pallor). Other symptoms of anaemia include feeling faint and headaches.

Caused by a low level of platelets, which help the blood to clot

You may notice bruises on your skin, small red spots in the skin (petechiae) or a purple rash (purpura). 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, there may be a bleed into the brain, which can cause neurological symptoms.

Caused by a low level of white blood cells, which fight infection

You may get persistent, recurrent or severe infections, or have a high temperature (38°C or above) even if there aren’t any other obvious signs of infection. Infections can cause flu-like symptoms like chills or shivering, coughing or a sore throat.

Caused by abnormal white blood cells building up in your lymph glands

You’re most likely to notice these in your neck, armpit or groin. They’re 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 can cause pain, discomfort or breathlessness.

Caused by damage to your bones

Myeloma can cause pain in any major bones such as your back, ribs or hips.

Some people with lymphoma have drenching night sweats but we don’t know yet what causes this.

Some people with blood cancer experience itching but we don’t know yet what causes this.

Cancer cells and the body’s reaction to them can alter your body’s metabolism and reduce muscle and fat.

Caused by abnormal blood cells building up in your spleen

You may feel full after only eating small amounts, have discomfort under your ribs on the left side, have bloating or swelling, or occasionally pain.

Caused by a very high level of white blood cells

Some types of blood cancer such as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) develop very quickly and make you suddenly very unwell. This is known as leukostasis or blast crisis. Symptoms may include breathing problems and neurological symptoms like visual changes, confusion, vomiting, loss of muscle control or seizures. Anyone with these symptoms needs medical attention immediately.