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Knowing how your blood cancer treatment is planned can make the path ahead feel clearer and more manageable. On this page, learn how treatment for blood cancer is planned, who will manage your care and questions to ask.

How will my doctor choose which treatment to recommend?

Your doctor will discuss and plan your treatment with a team of specialist doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals with expertise in treating blood cancer. This is known as a multidisciplinary team or MDT.

The MDT will recommend treatment based on national guidelines produced by experts, as well as research on which treatments work best.

They will also consider:

  • the type of blood cancer you have
  • the results of any tests you’ve had
  • your general health (see assessing your general health below)
  • what treatment you’ve had before
  • the treatments that are available, how well they work and any risks or side effects
  • whether there are any clinical trials that may be appropriate for you
  • your wishes and what’s important to you.

Once your treatment has started, the MDT will meet regularly to discuss how your care is going. Your doctor or nurse will update you on what’s been discussed after the MDT meetings.

Your team will monitor you throughout your treatment, and it’s common for treatment plans to change. This is important to make sure you’re always getting the best treatment for you, that any side effects are managed, and that your overall health is looked after.

Being involved in your treatment

Your hospital team should always involve you in decisions about your blood cancer treatment. You may have the chance to choose between different treatments. And you always have the right to accept or decline any treatment you are offered.

Read more about making treatment decisions.

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Assessing your general health

Your hospital team will look at your overall health and fitness when deciding what treatment to recommend. Things they will consider include:

  • your age
  • how active you are
  • if you need help to manage daily activities
  • any other medical conditions you have (sometimes called comorbidities).

You may also need tests to assess your fitness for treatment. Examples include:

  • an electrocardiogram (ECG) or echocardiogram (ECHO) to check the function of your heart
  • blood or urine samples to check your kidney function
  • spirometry testing to check the function of your lungs

All these things can affect how your body copes with treatment and which treatments are suitable for you. Some types of blood cancer treatment are very intense and can be tough on the body. Sometimes your doctor might recommend a less intense type of treatment if they think you will be better able to cope with it.

You can ask your hospital team at any time to explain why they recommend a particular type of treatment and what things they have considered.

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Who will manage my blood cancer care?

If you’re diagnosed with blood cancer, your treatment and care will come from a team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals that specialise in blood cancer. We call this your hospital team.

Your hospital team will update your GP about your diagnosis and any treatment you receive.

The main people in your hospital team will be:

Your hospital doctor (consultant)

Most people with blood cancer have a haematologist as their main doctor. This is a doctor who specialises in conditions that affect the blood, including blood cancer. Sometimes your main doctor might be an oncologist (a specialist in cancer).

Specialist registrars

As well as your consultant, you will also be treated by specialist registrars. These are experienced doctors who are training to become haematologists.

Your clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

Your nurse is your key point of contact. They will be with you from the day you are diagnosed, through your treatment and beyond. You can always go to them with any worries or questions.

Other professionals

You may have other professionals involved in your care, depending on your needs. For example:

  • a dietitian can help with your nutrition
  • a social worker can help with practical or financial issues
  • a clinical psychologist can help if you’re struggling with the emotional impact of blood cancer.

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Questions to ask about blood cancer treatment

Being diagnosed with blood cancer is often overwhelming. Some people find it helps to write down questions they have before appointments. Bringing someone with you to appointments can also help – they can support you, remind you of questions and even write notes for you.

You’ll have your own ideas for questions, but here are some suggestions:

  • What is my exact diagnosis?
  • What treatment will I have?
  • What does my treatment plan involve? (For example, how many cycles will I need, how often will I have it, and how long for?)
  • What is the aim of the treatment?
  • Will I have to stay in hospital, or can I have treatment as an outpatient?
  • What does the treatment do and are there any side effects?
  • What impact will the treatment have on my daily life?
  • Are there any other treatment options?
  • Is there a clinical trial that I could join?
  • Who is my clinical nurse specialist and how can I contact them?
  • Who should I contact if I’m worried about anything out of hours?
Anna, diagnosed with AML

"My top piece of advice for medical situations is: if you don’t understand something, ask and ask again. Don’t be afraid to ask what something means. You’re not expected to understand everything, and no question is too silly! "

Anna, who learned to advocate for herself during blood cancer treatment. Anna's story

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About this information

Last full review October 2026. Next full review due October 2029. We may make factual updates to this information in between reviews.

Thank you to clinical nurse specialists Abbie Sellars and specialist registrar Dr Izzy Wood for checking the clinical accuracy of this information.