Quick facts about blood cancer
Blood cancer occurs when one of the three types of blood cells which are produced in our bone marrow (the soft tissue inside our bones) grow in an uncontrolled and abnormal way
There are three types of blood cells which cancer can form in, including red blood cells (which deliver oxygen to the body), white blood cells (which help fight infection and disease) and platelets (which help the blood to clot and therefore prevent us from bleeding)
When combined, blood cancer is the second most common cancer in Australia and the second most common cause of cancer-related death
Types of blood cancer
There are three main types of blood cancer, depending on which blood cell the cancer starts in:
Leukaemia
Leukaemia affects white blood cells. Leukaemia is classified depending on the type of white blood cell affected and whether it is fast or slow growing
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Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops from lymphocyte cells in the lymphatic system (part of the immune system)
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Myeloma
Myeloma is a blood cancer which develops in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that is typically found within the bone marrow
Learn moreTreatment for blood cancer
There are many different types of treatment for blood cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.
Helpful resources
References
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