What Is Blood Cancer? Types, Symptoms, and Treatments
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What is blood cancer?
Blood cancer is cancer that affects how the body produces blood cells and how well they work. Most blood cancers start in the bone marrow, where faulty DNA makes blood cells cancerous; these abnormal cells multiply unchecked and overwhelm healthy ones. The three main types are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Treatments are effective, and more people are surviving blood cancer. [1]
Key takeaways
Blood cancer disrupts how your body makes blood cells, and most cases start in the bone marrow, where abnormal cells crowd out the healthy ones that carry oxygen, fight infection, and control bleeding. [1]
The three main types are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. [1]
Warning signs include fatigue, frequent infections, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, and unusual bruising — but these symptoms also occur with noncancerous conditions. [1]
A cure is often the goal, and treatments can put some blood cancers into remission. [1]
Survival rates have improved dramatically over the past 40 years. [1]
What the research says
Blood cancers are a large and unevenly distributed global burden. In 2022 there were an estimated 1,311,104 new cases and 700,205 deaths from hematological malignancies worldwide, with non-Hodgkin lymphoma the most common type, followed by leukemia, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin lymphoma; smoking, high body mass index, and occupational exposure to benzene or formaldehyde were among the identified risk factors (Lin et al., Chinese Medical Journal, 2026). [9]
Deaths are projected to hold steady or decline, but low-development regions carry more of the toll. A Global Burden of Disease analysis found 2021 incidence of 5.63, 7.93, and 1.74 per 100,000 for leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, with the leukemia age-standardized death rate projected to fall from 3.86 to 3.40 by 2031 — while higher mortality fractions persisted in low Socio-demographic Index regions (Kou et al., Psycho-Oncology, 2026). [10]
Newer immunotherapies work in several blood cancers, but side effects are real. A systematic review of 36 studies covering 19 bispecific antibodies found established activity in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, with cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity as the main safety concerns (neurologic events exceeded 50% in several blinatumomab studies) (Lommuang et al., Frontiers in Immunology, 2026). [11]
What Is Blood Cancer?
Blood cancer affects how your body produces blood cells and how well those cells work. [1] Blood cancers affect roughly 1.2 million people every year. [1]
Most blood cancers start in your bone marrow — the soft, sponge-like material in the center of your bones. Your bone marrow makes stem cells that mature and become one of three essential cell types: [1]
Blood cancer happens when something disrupts how your body makes blood cells. The cancer cells cannot do the jobs normal blood cells do. Instead, the abnormal blood cells multiply unchecked and overwhelm the normal ones. [1]
Like any type of cancer, blood cancer is a serious diagnosis. But the good news is that more and more people are surviving blood cancer. [1]
The Three Main Types of Blood Cancer
There are three main blood cancer types, each with several subtypes:
Type | Where It Starts | What It Affects |
Leukemia | Bone marrow; cells can spill out into the blood [1] | Usually immature white blood cells; the most common blood cancer in the U.S. and the most common form of childhood cancer [1] |
Lymphoma | Lymphatic system; cells start in white blood cells called lymphocytes [1] | Can form tumors in lymph nodes; most common subtypes are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma [1] |
Myeloma | Affects white blood cells called plasma cells; multiple myeloma is the most common subtype [1] |
Rarer Forms of Blood Cancer
Symptoms of Blood Cancer
Blood cancer symptoms vary based on the type. The most common symptoms to look out for include:
Symptom | Details |
Fatigue [1] | Ongoing tiredness that does not improve with rest |
Shortness of breath [1] | Difficulty breathing, especially with activity |
Swollen lymph nodes [1] | Painless lumps, often in the neck, armpit, or groin |
Frequent infections [1] | Getting sick more often than usual |
Bone pain [1] | Aching in the bones |
Drenching night sweats [1] | Sweating through clothing or bedding at night |
Enlarged liver or spleen [1] | Abdominal fullness or discomfort |
Joint pain [1] | Aching in the joints |
Persistent fever [1] | Fever that does not resolve |
Unexplained weight loss [1] | Losing weight without trying |
Unusual bruising or bleeding [1] | Warning signs include tiny red skin spots (petechiae) or purplish skin patches (purpura) |
It is important to know that these symptoms can happen with noncancerous conditions, too. [1] Having one or more of them does not mean you have cancer. But you should contact a healthcare provider if symptoms last more than a few weeks. [1]
Causes of Blood Cancer
Blood cancer starts when blood cell DNA changes or mutates. Your DNA tells cells what to do — it tells blood cells when to grow, when to divide or multiply, and when to die. [1]
When blood cell DNA gives faulty instructions, your body develops abnormal blood cells. These cells grow and multiply faster than normal. Normal blood cells become lost in a mass of abnormal cells that crowd out the healthy ones. [1]
Eventually, your bone marrow produces fewer normal cells. That means there are not enough normal blood cells doing their essential tasks. [1]
Risk Factors
Certain factors may play a role in increasing your blood cancer risk:
Risk Factor | How It Increases Risk |
Age | Your risk increases as you get older [1] |
Sex | |
Smoking | A smoking history or exposure to secondhand smoke may increase your risk [1] |
Toxic chemical exposure | Long-term exposure to benzene and formaldehyde; more likely in industries like manufacturing [1] |
Previous cancer treatment | Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy may increase your risk [1] |
Biological family history | Some types may run in families, but most people diagnosed do not have a family member with blood cancer [1] |
Certain conditions | Several autoimmune diseases, conditions causing long-term inflammation, and some genetic disorders are associated with increased risk [1] |
How to Lower Your Risk
Blood cancers are not avoidable. Even someone with a clean bill of health can develop blood cancer. But you can lower your risk by steering clear of certain risk factors, like smoking. [1]
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare provider may begin by asking about your symptoms and medical history, and by performing a complete physical exam. You may need several kinds of tests depending on the cancer type your provider suspects. [1]
Test | What It Checks |
Complete blood count (CBC) | High or low blood cell levels [1] |
Blood chemistry test | Proteins in your blood that may signal blood cancer [1] |
CT scan | Signs of cancer in specific parts of your body [1] |
MRI | Detailed images of body tissues to detect cancer |
PET scan | Signs of cancer activity in the body |
Bone marrow biopsy | The ratio of normal versus abnormal blood cells, and DNA changes that may drive cancer growth [1] |
During a bone marrow biopsy, your provider removes a sample of your bone marrow and analyzes it. They may also test the sample for changes in your DNA that may drive cancer growth. [1]
Treatment Options
Common treatments for blood cancer include:
Treatment | How It Works |
Chemotherapy | A primary blood cancer treatment; kills cancer cells to slow the disease's progress or eliminate the cancer; different drug types are used for different blood cancers [1] |
Radiation therapy | Uses radiation to damage the DNA in abnormal cells so they cannot make copies; may be used to ease symptoms (palliative care); often combined with other treatments [1] |
Immunotherapy | Makes your immune system better at fighting cancer; commonly used types include monoclonal antibodies and CAR T-cell therapy [1] |
Targeted therapy | Targets cancer cell weaknesses that relate to abnormal genetic mutations [1] |
Autologous stem cell transplant | Your own bone marrow stem cells are collected before high-dose chemotherapy; once chemotherapy kills the cancer cells, your healthy stem cells are returned to you and develop into healthy blood cells |
Allogeneic stem cell transplant | Damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow from a suitable donor [1] |
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
Your healthcare provider will let you know what signs or symptoms to look out for after treatment. Every cancer treatment can cause side effects, including potentially serious ones. Your provider will explain how to manage some side effects at home, and will let you know when you should schedule an appointment or seek emergency care. [1]
Outlook and Prognosis
Is Blood Cancer Curable?
Yes. Often, the goal of blood cancer treatment is curing the condition — meaning the cancer is gone and it never comes back. When a cure is not possible, there are a growing number of treatments that may put some blood cancers into remission, which means the treatment has decreased cancer to the point that it is undetectable. [1]
Five-Year Relative Survival Rates
Survival rates vary based on the type of blood cancer. The rates below are for blood cancers diagnosed in the U.S., based on data from 2014 to 2020: [1]
Remember, though, that no one can predict your life expectancy. Certain blood cancer subtypes are more fatal than others, and survival rates do not factor in new treatments that are helping people live longer. The lymphoma survival rate has doubled over the past 40 years, and the five-year survival rate for leukemia has quadrupled over the same period. More and more people are surviving blood cancer. [1]
How to Feel Better During and After Treatment
Blood cancer and its treatment can take a toll on your overall health. Practical suggestions include eating nutritious, balanced meals — and asking to speak with a dietitian if you are having trouble eating — staying active at a safe level approved by your provider, and making rest a priority rather than waiting until exhaustion hits. [1]
It is also important to protect yourself from infection and to attend to your emotional health. Talking to a therapist or joining a support group can help you cope during treatment and adjust to life after cancer. [1]
Conclusion
Blood cancer is a serious diagnosis, but it is no longer the prognosis it once was. Understanding that most blood cancers start in the bone marrow — where faulty DNA causes abnormal cells to crowd out the healthy ones that carry oxygen, fight infection, and control bleeding — is the first step toward asking the right questions and getting the right care.
The treatment landscape has expanded considerably, with chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplants offering real paths to cure and remission. Survival rates tell an encouraging story: the lymphoma survival rate has doubled and the leukemia survival rate has quadrupled over the past 40 years. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms such as fatigue, frequent infections, or unusual bruising, talk to a healthcare provider — early evaluation makes a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is blood cancer?
Blood cancer affects how your body produces blood cells and how well those cells work. Most cases start in the bone marrow, where faulty DNA causes abnormal blood cells to multiply unchecked and overwhelm healthy ones. [1]
How many people get blood cancer each year?
Blood cancers affect approximately 1.2 million people every year. [1]
What are the three main types of blood cancer?
The three main types are leukemia (starting in bone marrow, usually involving immature white blood cells), lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system starting in lymphocytes), and myeloma (starting in bone marrow plasma cells). [1]
What is the most common blood cancer?
Leukemia is the most common blood cancer in the U.S. and the most common form of childhood cancer. [1]
What are the rarer forms of blood cancer?
The rarer forms are myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), in which the bone marrow makes too many blood cells, and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), in which the bone marrow makes abnormal blood cells that do not develop fully. [1]
What are the most common symptoms of blood cancer?
The most common symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes, and frequent infections. Other symptoms include bone pain, night sweats, enlarged liver or spleen, joint pain, persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, and unusual bruising or bleeding. [1]
Do these symptoms always mean I have cancer?
No. These symptoms can happen with noncancerous conditions too. However, you should contact a healthcare provider if symptoms last more than a few weeks. [1]
What causes blood cancer?
Blood cancer starts when blood cell DNA changes or mutates. The faulty DNA instructions cause abnormal blood cells to grow and multiply faster than normal, eventually crowding out the healthy blood cells your body needs. [1]
Who is at higher risk for blood cancer?
Risk factors include older age, being male, smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, long-term exposure to chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde, previous chemotherapy or radiation, certain autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders, and in some cases family history. [1]
Can I prevent blood cancer?
Blood cancers are not entirely avoidable — even healthy people can develop them. However, you can lower your risk by avoiding factors like smoking. [1]
How is blood cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a symptom review, medical history, and physical exam. Tests may include blood tests (complete blood count and blood chemistry), imaging (CT, MRI, or PET scans), and a bone marrow biopsy that analyzes normal versus abnormal cells and DNA changes. [1]
What is a complete blood count (CBC)?
A CBC is a blood test that checks for high or low blood cell levels, which can signal blood cancer. [1]
What treatments are available for blood cancer?
Common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy (such as monoclonal antibodies and CAR T-cell therapy), targeted therapy, autologous stem cell transplant (using your own cells), and allogeneic stem cell transplant (using a donor's cells). [1]
What is the difference between autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplant?
In an autologous transplant, your own bone marrow stem cells are collected before high-dose chemotherapy and returned afterward. In an allogeneic transplant, damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow from a donor. [1]
Is blood cancer curable?
Yes. Often the goal of treatment is a cure, meaning the cancer is gone and never comes back. When a cure is not possible, treatments can put some blood cancers into remission, where the cancer has been reduced to an undetectable level. [1]
What are the survival rates for blood cancer?
Five-year relative survival rates (U.S., 2014–2020 data) are 67% for leukemia, 88.9% for Hodgkin lymphoma, 74.3% for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 61.1% for myeloma. These rates do not include newer treatments, and survival has improved dramatically over the past 40 years. [1]
What is remission?
Remission means treatment has decreased the cancer to the point that it is undetectable. It is an important goal when a full cure is not possible. [1]
How can I feel better during blood cancer treatment?
Eat nutritious, balanced meals (a dietitian can help if your appetite is affected), stay active at a level your provider approves, rest when you need to, protect yourself from infection, and attend to your emotional health through therapy or support groups. [1]
Can I get blood cancer even if I am healthy?
Yes. Even someone with a clean bill of health can develop blood cancer. [1] That is why paying attention to persistent symptoms and getting evaluated is so important.
What should I do if my symptoms last more than a few weeks?
Contact a healthcare provider. Persistent symptoms such as fatigue, fever, bruising, or swollen lymph nodes deserve a proper evaluation, even though they can also occur with noncancerous conditions. [1]
Related Reading
References
Cleveland Clinic. Blood Cancer. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Medically reviewed; last updated April 15, 2025. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22883-blood-cancer
Ansell SM. Hodgkin lymphoma: 2025 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management. Am J Hematol. 2024;99(12):2367-2378. PMID 39239794. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.27470
Chennamadhavuni A, Iyengar V, Mukkamalla SKR, et al. Leukemia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated January 17, 2023. PMID 32809325. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560490/
Cowan AJ, Green DJ, Kwok M, et al. Diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma: a review. JAMA. 2022;327(5):464-477. PMID 35103762. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.0003
Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). Blood cancer facts and statistics. Blood Cancer United. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://bloodcancerunited.org/blood-cancer/blood-cancer-facts-and-statistics
Lu J, Jiang G. The journey of CAR-T therapy in hematological malignancies. Mol Cancer. 2022;21(1):194. PMID 36209106. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-022-01663-0
National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program: Cancer Statistics. SEER. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics/
Thandra KC, Barsouk A, Saginala K, et al. Epidemiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Med Sci (Basel). 2021;9(1):5. PMID 33573146. https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci9010005
Lin M, Sun W, Huang X, et al. Disease burden of hematological malignancies worldwide, in China and in the United States based on the GLOBOCAN 2022 and Global Burden of Disease 2021 data. Chin Med J (Engl). 2026;139(7):1042-1053. PMID 41672942. https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003969
Kou Y, Chen F, Ge L, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of hematologic malignancies from 1990 to 2021, with projections of mortality and incidence to 2031. Psychooncology. 2026;35(1):e70365. PMID 41506717. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70365
Lommuang K, Taychakhoonavudh S. Safety and efficacy of bispecific antibodies in hematologic neoplasms: a systematic review. Front Immunol. 2026;17:1815519. PMID 42643454. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1815519
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is based on published health information and should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek personalized medical guidance for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment decisions.
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